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US Awards Medal to Dalai Lama

Public display angers Chinese government

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 17, 2007 4:25 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Congress awarded the Dalai Lama its highest civilian honor today, New York Times reports. At the presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal, which went ahead despite vehement Chinese opposition, the Tibetan spiritual leader congratulated China on its economic growth and gently urged that the country embrace “transparency, the rule of law and freedom of information.”

Deflecting a frequent Chinese charge, the Lama said, “I’m not seeking independence from China," but instead “meaningful autonomy for Tibet.” Earlier, Beijing officials had condemned the American ceremony—at which President Bush, among others, spoke—as a "farce" and warned of the impact on Chinese-American relations. China, in protest, recently pulled out of a meeting of world powers on Iran.

The Dalai Lama, right, accompanied by actor Richard Gere, second from left, and others, greets the crowd on the West Side of the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, after receiving the Congressional Gold Medal. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
The Dalai Lama, right, accompanied by actor Richard Gere, second from left, and others, greets the crowd on the West Side of the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, after receiving the Congressional...   (Associated Press)
The Dalai Lama, left, accompanied by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, after he received the Congressional Gold Medal. The Dalai Lama also gave Pelosi an award for her support and effort through the Congress. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
The Dalai Lama, left, accompanied by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, after he received the Congressional Gold Medal. The Dalai Lama...   (Associated Press)
The Dalai Lama, left, accompanied by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, after he received the Congressional Gold Medal. The Dalai Lama also gave Pelosi an award for her support and effort through the Congress. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
The Dalai Lama, left, accompanied by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, after he received the Congressional Gold Medal. The Dalai Lama...   (Associated Press)
President Bush, left, chats with the Dalai Lama, right, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, in the Capitol Rotunda on Capitol Hill in Washington during the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony honoring The Dalai Lama. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
President Bush, left, chats with the Dalai Lama, right, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, in the Capitol Rotunda on Capitol Hill in Washington during the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony honoring The Dalai...   (Associated Press)
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