[ Thursday, November 10, 2005 07:05:16 pm PTI ]

The Times of India

WASHINGTON: US President George W Bush, whose administration has named China as a "serious violator" of religious freedom, had a "private" meeting with the Dalai Lama at the White House, evoking strong reaction from Beijing which warned governments against holding talks with the Tibetan spiritual leader.

The White House has sought to play down Wednesday's meeting by classifying it as "private" and giving out no official transcripts or statements.

There was no press conference and even press photographers were not allowed to register the event...

n fact, Bush did not even make a major comment on his meeting with the Tibetan spiritual leader, other than making a passing reference at an event honouring those who had won the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

"We strongly support religious freedom. And when there are countries that are not allowing for religious freedom within their borders we are going to point that out," White House Spokesman Scott McClellan said.

The President, during a Roundtable with Asian journalists ahead of his visit to the Asia-Pacific, said that he will be discussing religious freedom with Chinese President Hu Jintao.

"A vibrant whole society is one that recognises that certain freedoms are inherent and need to be part of a complete society," Bush remarked.

"He's (President Hu) made some very positive statements and interesting statements about different aspects of freedom."

Unless some finds something of value in Tibet, like oil, the US is not going to help. We'll free the people of Iraq but to h3ll with anyone else.

there was a disgraceful display by the English govt. when the Chinese president visited. secret itinaries... clamping down on the slightest sign of protest. It is not as if tibetan rights protesters have a histooy of violence. Can't believe that this happened in Britain, and hardly anyone noticed. It would have made Bush, heck, even Sadham in his day, proud as punch.

Unless some finds something of value in Tibet, like oil, the US is not going to help. We'll free the people of Iraq but to h3ll with anyone else.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was just sort of daydreaming this morning and wondering:

What would George W and crowd be doing if it could be shown that a demorcratically elected government in Iraq would tell the US to get out and cut off the oil supply (which would be their right should they chose to do so)?

they need the cash too much to do that.

Unless some finds something of value in Tibet, like oil, the US is not going to help. We'll free the people of Iraq but to h3ll with anyone else.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was just sort of daydreaming this morning and wondering:

What would George W and crowd be doing if it could be shown that a demorcratically elected government in Iraq would tell the US to get out and cut off the oil supply (which would be their right should they chose to do so)?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Don't worry some more WMD would be found or there would be a level of corruption that the US gov just couldn't stand and would feel honor bound to deal with.

there was a disgraceful display by the English govt. when the Chinese president visited. secret itinaries... clamping down on the slightest sign of protest. It is not as if tibetan rights protesters have a histooy of violence. Can't believe that this happened in Britain, and hardly anyone noticed. It would have made Bush, heck, even Sadham in his day, proud as punch.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Exactly the same thing happend in Germany too!

Hard to believe, but says a lot about "our" governments.