Brussels, February 6 – Belgium admitted today it played a part in the cancellation of a visit by exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, to avoid straining Brussels’ ties with China ahead of a royal visit there.
But Foreign Minister Karel de Gucht insisted that the decision to shelve the planned 10-day June visit to Belgium was taken independently by the Dalai Lama, and underlined his government’s commitment to human rights.
“A problem was posted: by pure accident, the Dalai Lama’s trip coincided with the planned state visit by (Belgian King Albert II) to China,” said a ministry statement, confirming a report by state television.
“This problem was submitted to the Dalai Lama, who has a policy of not wanting to harm relations between third countries and China. The Dalai Lama took his decision in all freedom,” it added.
The ministerial statement came after the cancellation of the trip was reported yesterday by the RTBF state television channel. At that point the Foreign Ministry would only say that the decision was taken by the Dalai Lama.
Organizers of the visit voiced disappointment.
“We have been preparing this trip for five years,” said a spokesman, Frans Goetghebeur, adding, “We are waiting for a gesture of understanding and help from the Belgian authorities.”
The Dalai Lama fled into exile in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule. His supporters have long accused Beijing of trying to wipe out Tibet’s Buddhist-based culture through political and religious repression.
