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Obama Tells Lama to Stay Away

Move seen as an effort to avoid annoying the Chinese

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 5, 2009 7:46 AM CDT
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(Newser) – In a move seemingly designed to appease China, US officials have asked the Dalai Lama not to meet with President Obama when he visits Washington this week. Typically, the Lama “drops in” on the White House whenever he’s in the capital, but Obama doesn’t want to meet with him until after his summit with China’s Hu Jintao next month, diplomats tell the Washington Post.

US officials told Tibetan representatives that they considered upcoming proliferation talks critical, and hinted that they were considering selling weapons to Taiwan, which would also anger Beijing, according to one Asian diplomat. “They were worried about too many irritating factors all at once.” It’s unclear however if they’re bowing to specific demands, or simply trying “to throw the Chinese a bone.” But a senior administration official says the Lama has never requested an October meeting and that it's "counter-factual" to say one has been postponed.

President Barack Obama greets China's President Hu Jintao during a group photo at the G-20 summit, Friday, Sept. 25, 2009 in Pittsburgh.
President Barack Obama greets China's President Hu Jintao during a group photo at the G-20 summit, Friday, Sept. 25, 2009 in Pittsburgh.   (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The Dalai Lama laughs during his press conference Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009 at the Bell Center in Montreal.
The Dalai Lama laughs during his press conference Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009 at the Bell Center in Montreal.   (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Ryan Remiorz)
The Dalai Lama arrives for his press conference Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009 at the Bell Center in Montreal.
The Dalai Lama arrives for his press conference Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009 at the Bell Center in Montreal.   (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Ryan Remiorz)
President Barack Obama pauses while speaking to members of the media in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Friday, Oct. 2, 2009.
President Barack Obama pauses while speaking to members of the media in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Friday, Oct. 2, 2009.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 44 comments
nathanielfoster
Oct 7, 2009 1:59 AM CDT
I'm all for allowing a country to be sovereign and free, but if you are referring to returning Tibet to a state that is ruled absolutely by a "hereditary" king who holds his subjects captive in serfdom that is also equally absurd. There should be a third option where the people of Tibet are allowed the formation of their own government where they are represented equally and treated equally.
thejoint00
Oct 6, 2009 9:01 AM CDT
let this be a lesson to all oppressed countries seeking United States government aid. -HELL NO.
thejoint00
Oct 6, 2009 8:59 AM CDT
I have never called joining forces with a Communist regime smart. and I don't inted to do so now. However, since the Communist country China has already bought and paid for the U.S., I understand where Obama would be a little nervous about pissing off the Bank.

 
China • Barack Obama • diplomacy • Hu Jintao • Tibet • Dalai Lama • foreign policy

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