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US defends Dalai Lama freedom of movement

AFP

Buddhist devotees listen to teachings by their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, in Tawang, in the northeastern Indian state of Arunchal Pradesh 10 November 2009. The United States on Monday defended the Dalai Lama’s right to free movement after China protested his visit to a region near India’s border with Tibet.Reuters/Adnan Abidi/India

The United States on Monday defended the Dalai Lama’s right to free movement after China protested his visit to a region near India’s border with Tibet.

The Dalai Lama “is primarily an internationally respected religious figure,” State Department spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters.

“He of course has the right to go wherever he wants and talk to people that he chooses to talk to. And we just don’t see it in any other way than that,” Kelly said.

More than 30,000 people, some of whom arrived days in advance, turned out on Monday to see the Tibetan spiritual leader in the remote Tawang monastery in India’s Arunachal Pradesh state, which China claims as its own.

The region has close ties with Tibet. The Dalai Lama took refuge in the monastery 50 years ago as he fled Lhasa amid an abortive uprising against Chinese rule. He has lived in India ever since.

The Dalai Lama said his visit was “non-political,” but China accused him of trying to stir up tensions between Beijing and New Delhi.

The world’s two most populous nations have had uneven relations and fought a border war in 1962.

Copyright © 2009 AFP

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