DHARAMSHALA, October 4: The Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the Indian capital New Delhi, in a statement released today announced that the Dalai Lama was calling off a planned visit to South Africa after continued delays by the African nation in issuing him a visa.
The statement said that the Tibetan leader regretted calling off the visit and the “inconveniences caused to his hosts and the large number of South African public who were keenly waiting to receive him and hear his message.”
“His Holiness travels around the world to promote human values, religious harmony, world peace, and compassion: principles that form the core of his communications and interactions everywhere. And in doing so, His Holiness does not want to create any inconveniences to anyone, individuals or governments,” the statement read.
The Nobel Peace laureate was scheduled to visit South Africa from October 6 – 14, on invitations by a number of universities and organisations including Stellenbosch University, the Tutu Centre and the Mahatma Gandhi Trust to give public talks, deliver Bishop Tutu’s 80th Birth Anniversary Inaugural Lecture and to receive the Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Peace and Reconciliation.
Contrary to earlier statements by the South African officials that the visa delay was being caused by “incomplete documents,” the Dalai Lama’s Representative Tempa Tsering said that the required documents were duly submitted.
“The visa applications for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the entourage members were submitted to the South African High Commission in New Delhi at the end of August and original passports were submitted on 20th September, over two weeks ago,” Tsering said.
“We are, therefore, now convinced that for whatever reason or reasons, the South African government finds it inconvenient to issue visa to His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” Tempa added.
Supporters of the Dalai Lama had carried out a night vigil in South African yesterday to protest the government’s delay. The South African President Jacob Zuma though remained non-committal on granting a visa to Dalai Lama.
“The department of international relations and co-operation is dealing with it. I don’t know what will be the final thing. I don’t think that you can get a definite answer from me,” Zuma was quoted by reporters yesterday.
