Straight Platform Politics

Dangers Of The Dalai Lama Snub

The Dalai Lama visited the U.S. earlier this month. Unfortunately, the Obama administration needlessly postponed the president’s meeting with this exiled Tibetan head-of-state and fellow Nobel Peace Prize recipient. Will this be used by the Chinese to further disparage the Dalai Lama? See Previous Post

Several people are concerned that this put-off could set a precedent and increase China’s arrogance. It could also make it more difficult for the Dalai Lama to have meetings with leaders of other countries. China has already put pressure on other leaders not to have the Dalai Lama visit their countries.

The Dalai Lama’s meetings with past presidents were usually private visits. But President Bush in 2007 met publicly with the Dalai Lama who was being honored with the Congressional Gold Medal, Congress’ highest civilian award. The postponement by President Obama could easily be described as a rejection of the Tibetan leader.

This administration may have emboldened the Chinese by snubbing the Dalai Lama but it won’t secure a better relationship with them. It has just placed the U.S. in a position of being viewed as a country led by a weak and compromising and easily manipulated administration.

China, Congressional Gold Medal, Dalai Lama, Nobel Peace Prize, President Obama, Tibet, snub