WASHINGTON (CNN) – The Dalai Lama said Thursday that an opportunity for President Obama to raise the Tibet issue with Chinese leader Hu Jintao - and the spiritual leader's strategic desire to avoid alienating the Chinese president ahead of Obama's visit to that nation - were more important than the chance to press his own political agenda in person during his latest visit to Washington.
"(A) more serious discussion is better than just a picture," he told CNN's Wolf Blitzer in an exclusive interview.
".... I have no disappointment," he said, in the decision to postpone a personal meeting with Obama until after next month's presidential visit to China.
"(Obama) already... indicated that he is going to speak with the Chinese.
And it seems that he possibly (will be) seriously engaging with the Chinese about the Tibet issue," among other issues like global warming, he said.
"Sometimes, you see, a little tough stand also helpful." But, he added, a "more conciliatory sort of attitude" is "sometimes...more helpful. So, this time... I do not want to create any inconvenience to anybody," and wish "to avoid embarrassment to the Chinese president."
"I feel that it is better in some cases not just to show a picture of a meeting. I think a more serious discussion is better than just a picture,"
he said.
The Dalai Lama, who was in contact with Obama both during and after the presidential campaign, said Thursday his White House visit would likely not take place until the end of this year or the beginning of 2010 because of scheduling issues on his part.
Blitzer's full interview with the Dalai Lama will air today on the Situation Room at 6 pm ET.
From CNN Politics
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The Dalai Lama is hardly an a recognized authority by Tibetans themselves. He is one the comprmisers who has advocated the One China policy, with some concessions to autonomy. He is against actual independence. Hence many Tibetan groups, and Tibet advocacy groups have abandoned or outright condemned him. He is currently nothing but a tool for the US and China to continue ignoring Tibet while they continue making money off of each-other's economy.
Does anyone care what the Dalai Lama has to say? Conservatives hate him because he is an extreme pacifist. Liberals hate him because he opposes actual full independence from China. I'm not even sure if his own people listen to him, and at least here in the US we had our share of buddhist monks protest him. He has become irrelevant.
The Dalai Lama needs to go back to his country and fight for PEACE there....or if he has the magial wand to make republiklans and Dems to agree to work together to solve America common problems, then he can stay...otherwise, no need for him to be parading the USA looking for some type of help or validation.
This folks coming to the USA with cap in hand are the ones destrying this country while some in congress dont take care of their own; because we give too much aid to the Dalai Lama, Israel, Palestinians, Iraq, poor African countries while our very own American citizens in the good ole USA are suffering; that the rich politicians in congress & senate can't even pass a healthcare bill to cover all Americans.
What a shame!!!!
I do not hate, the Dalai Lama, and I am a Liberal. And yes, those of us who admire this Pacifist, would like to hear what he has to say.
Is it me or are Peter E and LImbaugh is a Liberal the same person saying the same thing, just paraphrased differently? Seriously guys, get original. Not only are teh points wrong (the Dalai Lama is, in fact, well loved), but it makes you look even dumber when you both regurgitate basically the same thing and CNN puts it right next to each other.
Obama is a disgrace to US. No Prez has ever turned his back on FREEDOM.
Our next president is going to have more chores , to clean up the mess this 4o day wonderer of acorn is mastering. He goes an kisses Fidel's , Charvez's , Hammas , an many more . That , would like to see us be defeated in all aera's.
Just a little off the cuff. WHEN has there been any Country come about with a Helping Hand, when this Country Has a Massive , flood or Hurricane . I recall of none in my life time..
Chinese money and influence trump the Dalai Lama. Plain and simple. By the way, the only thing being a pacifist gets you is conquered.
The Dalai Lama is not disappointed because is knows that Obama is IRRELEVANT.