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Dalai Lama returns after a successful tour of France

By Lobsang Wangyal | Tibet Sun

MCLEOD GANJ, India, 24 August 2008—The Dalai Lama returns after a successful 12-day tour of France. Tibet Sun/Lobsang Wangyal/India

The Dalai Lama’s tour was to give spiritual teachings to Buddhists and consecrate Buddhist temples.

French foreign minister Bernhard Kouchner, first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, and French human rights minister Rama Yade, met the Dalai Lama during the consecration ceremony of Sogyal Rinpoche’s Buddhist centre in Lerab-Ling, in the southern town of Roqueredonde. The ceremony was attended by about 2,000 people.

During the meeting the Dalai Lama expressed that China had increased repression of Tibetans during the Olympic Games in Beijing, and he urged China to “march toward democracy.”

“The only way China can regain its respectability in the international community is to “march towards democracy,” the Dalai Lama said according to reports.

At the Dalai Lama’s request, a meeting between him and the French President was cancelled to avoid Chinese displeasure, considering the ongoing Beijing Olympics and the upcoming talks between the envoys of the Dalai Lama and the Chinese leaders in October.

The two leaders will, however, meet in December, when the French President will host a ceremony for Nobel peace laureates in Paris on 10 December.

The Dalai Lama is scheduled to lead a fast and prayer session for 12 hours on 30 August to highlight the Tibetan cause and his commitment towards non-violence.

Copyright © 2008 Tibet Sun

Published in Tibet Sun