PARIS – France’s foreign minister says he will meet with the Dalai Lama this week.
Bernard Kouchner says he’ll join French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy when the Tibetan spiritual leader attends the inauguration of a temple Friday in southern France.
Kouchner told reporters Monday that he would meet with “my friend” as he always does when the Dalai Lama visits France.
The French government has kept contacts with the Dalai Lama to a minimum during a 12-day visit. Critics and human rights groups have accused Paris of bowing to Chinese pressure over business contracts.
The Dalai Lama’s visit coincides with the Beijing Olympics. The trip has focused mainly on spiritual matters.
