Flying in the face of possible tension with China, US President Barack Obama spent over an hour yesterday greeting the Dalai Lama at the White House. Despite the possibility of jeopardising support from China on issues including Iran, North Korea and climate change, Obama welcomed the 14th Dalai Lama out of sight of the press and without a joint press conference or photo opportunity after the meeting.
All that emerged from the meeting was a written press statement that backed the importance of Tibetan religious, cultural and linguistic identity, but within the People’s Republic of China’s sovereignty.
There is some indication that the meeting came about as a result of the criticism that Barack Obama received after not meeting the Dalai Lama during his last visit to the United States in October 2009. With accusations of being weak on the world stage and showing preferential treatment to China, Obama was left with no other option than to meet the Dalai Lama this time around.
The statement from the White House Press Secretary was as follows:
“The President met this morning at the White House with His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama. The President stated his strong support for the preservation of Tibet’s unique religious, cultural and linguistic identity and the protection of human rights for Tibetans in the People’s Republic of China. The President commended the Dalai Lama’s “Middle Way” approach, his commitment to nonviolence and his pursuit of dialogue with the Chinese government. The President stressed that he has consistently encouraged both sides to engage in direct dialogue to resolve differences and was pleased to hear about the recent resumption of talks. The President and the Dalai Lama agreed on the importance of a positive and cooperative relationship between the United States and China.”
