The Dalai Lama Writes McCain
By Glenn Kessler
The Dalai Lama sent a letter today to Sen. John McCain, thanking him for "concern you have shown regarding the sad turn of events in Tibet and for your efforts to persuade the Chinese authorities to exercise restraint in dealing with the demonstrations."
McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, issued a statement Tuesday in which he called the Dalai Lama, the spiritual Tibetan leader, "a man of peace who reflects the hopes and aspirations of Tibetans." McCain urged the Chinese government to open a "genuine dialogue" with the Dalai Lama and urged the release of monks detained for "peacefully expressing their views" and "full outside access" to Tibet.
In his letter, the Dalai Lama said he was "deeply saddened" by what had happened in Tibet and expressed fears that those rounded up "might not be treated properly and fairly." He said he did not think "such repressive measures" will achieve unity and stability. "At this critical juncture, it is imperative that the Chinese authorities begin to realize the need to win Tibetan hearts and minds by building up their confidence and trust rather than resorting to further force," he wrote.
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, who are battling for the Democratic nomination, have spoken out on Tibet, with Obama today saying in a speech that the United States should work with China but also speak out "for the human rights and religious freedom of the people of Tibet."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a strong critic of China who is visiting India, is expected to visit the Dalai Lama this week to express her support.
Posted at 7:02 PM ET on Mar 19, 2008
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Posted by: Crystal | April 27, 2008 7:02 AM
What is the trueth! DaLai Lama is a really killer! He killed lots of people in Tibet. When he left Tibet, he asked people killed 2 children and to get the whole skins as a gift for deity to help him to leave Tibet. DaLai Lama wants to keep Tibet slavery, in his eyes, the 1 million Tibet slaves were not human! When he controled Tibet, more than 10% slave dead every year. And lots of slave were killed by Dalai Lama because DaLai Lama wants to take the slave life as a gift to deity! This is truth! If you visit Tibet, if you really talk with Tibetian, you can really know who is Dalai Lama! Dalai Lama is a Really Killer! You take a treaty with devil!
Posted by: | April 21, 2008 5:06 PM
As far as I know, Dalai is the mastermind behind the recent riots in Tibet, however, Dalai pretends to be innocent in every interview, saying nonsense like "i prefer non-violence protest".
so.. Oscar award of best actor goes to our dearest Dalai Lama. The greatest actor ever in movie history!
http://claria.blogbus.com/
Posted by: clari | April 9, 2008 3:17 AM
As far as I know, Dalai is the mastermind behind the recent riots in Tibet, however, Dalai pretends to be innocent in every interview, saying nonsense like "i prefer non-violence protest".
so.. Oscar award of best actor goes to our dearest Dalai Lama. The greatest actor ever in movie history!
http://claria.blogbus.com/
Posted by: clari | April 9, 2008 3:17 AM
Dalai Lama is a terrorist through and through. He is in the same league as the leaders of Hamas.
The Hamas movement uses religion as their source of inspiration for violence. So do Dalai.
There is a difference, though. Hamas is at least more truthful than Dalai Lama - the Hamas movement advocate violence, and they never pretend to be peace loving people.
Dalai, on the other hand, is a real wolf donning sheep skin. Dalai Lama talks of peace, of harmony, or tranquility, but at the same time incites his followers to carry out violent riots, to loot, to maim, and even to kill.
Dalai is nothing but a damn pathetic liar.
Posted by: penang1 | March 26, 2008 11:02 AM
I enjoy reading the comments section so much. It gives me such hope for the future to read comments from people who obviously live in their parents basement reading conspiracy theories on the internet, or worse, scored a 3 on the reading comprehension portion of the SAT. Sen. McCain didn't write a letter at all, he issued a statement to which the Dali Lama wrote a letter in response. We aren't talking rocket surgery here. As for the guy that wants to use a ball-peen hammer on the guy who thinks the Dali Lama is a terrorist, crushing an empty skull is a waste of energy. You should make him watch tapes of Mao raping little girls until he gouges his own eyes out with a spoon for being that ignorant. And don't correct me on the "rocket surgery" thing, it is called sarcasm you idiots.
Posted by: mathew.carson1975 | March 20, 2008 11:15 PM
The evidence is clear and the Dalai Lama is correct about China National government intention to perform genocide on the Tibetan Cultural Heritage. China is doing the same as our nation did to the American Indian when our European Heritage settled the west. We did have a constitution that gave rights to the Indians and their Culture which keeps it alive today.
It is a disgrace and a crime against humanity that the Chinese government does not have the tolerance, and compassion to understand the social benefits of civil rights for its people: "to live and let live".
Posted by: dj_ingraham | March 20, 2008 4:58 PM
Brianwim, the problem with the propaganda you repeat is that it only works on people who have no access to information. In the West, free access to information, plus personal experiences related without censorship (my father was raised in Lanzhou), gives us more than enough proof of the Dalai Lama's--and Tibetans'--extraordinary dedication to non-violence. It's inevitable that some humans crack if you abuse them harshly enough, but as a people, the Tibetans have held out longer than anyone could have expected under 60 years of Chinese brutality. The non-violent protests of tens of thousands of Tibetan monks, lay-people and supporters, contrasted with the tanks and bullets of the Chinese government, paints the truth more clearly than any words.
Posted by: shigley | March 20, 2008 1:30 PM
Brianwim, the problem with the propaganda you repeat is that it only works on people who have no access to information. In the West, free access to information, plus personal experiences related without censorship (my father was raised in Lanzhou), gives us more than enough proof of the Dalai Lama's--and Tibetans'--extraordinary dedication to non-violence. It's inevitable that some humans crack if you abuse them harshly enough, but as a people, the Tibetans have held out longer than anyone could have expected under 60 years of Chinese brutality. The non-violent protests of tens of thousands of Tibetan monks, lay-people and supporters, contrasted with the tanks and bullets of the Chinese government, paints the truth more clearly than any words.
Posted by: shigley | March 20, 2008 1:30 PM
Brianwim, the problem with the propaganda you repeat is that it only works on people who have no access to information. In the West, free access to information, plus personal experiences related without censorship (my father was raised in Lanzhou), gives us more than enough proof of the Dalai Lama's--and Tibetans'--extraordinary dedication to non-violence. It's inevitable that some humans crack if you abuse them harshly enough, but as a people, the Tibetans have held out longer than anyone could have expected under 60 years of Chinese brutality. The non-violent protests of tens of thousands of Tibetan monks, lay-people and supporters, contrasted with the tanks and bullets of the Chinese government, paints the truth more clearly than any words.
Posted by: shigley | March 20, 2008 1:30 PM
John McCain is a gifted politician, nothing more. He is still a thouroughly dangerous man.
Posted by: subtlechange | March 20, 2008 11:27 AM
John McCain is a gifted politician, nothing more. He is still a thouroughly dangerous man.
Posted by: subtlechange | March 20, 2008 11:27 AM
Throwing rocks, burning cars, ransacking shops are "peacefully expressing their views"?? Now I know how did McCain find Iraq to be rather "peaceful"
Posted by: huangjun96 | March 20, 2008 5:58 AM
bullfroggie-I prefer B.O. ;~)
Posted by: rat-the | March 20, 2008 3:53 AM
His name is"Barack Obama" not "Barak Obama". I have noticed that this has happened somewhat often on "The Trail". It would be nice if reporters could spell his name correctly. Thank you.
Posted by: bullfrog1024 | March 20, 2008 12:13 AM
His name is"Barack Obama" not "Barak Obama". I have noticed that this has happened somewhat often on "The Trail". It would be nice if reporters could spell his name correctly. Thank you.
Posted by: bullfrog1024 | March 20, 2008 12:12 AM
Oops. That wasn't very non-violent of me. Better get a refresher course from the Dalai Lama.
Posted by: mnteng | March 19, 2008 11:12 PM
brianwim:
You need your head examined. Preferably with a ball-peen hammer.
Posted by: mnteng | March 19, 2008 11:01 PM
So the Dalai Lama is endorsing McCain? Bet the Dems feel jilted. Didn't know monks favored 100 years of war...
Posted by: parkerfl | March 19, 2008 10:04 PM
Seems the Dalai Lama knows who is Taking Care of Business! :-)
Ahem,
President McCain! ;~)
Live it, Learn It, LOVE IT!
Posted by: rat-the | March 19, 2008 9:54 PM
plaza04433, Sen. McCain wrote a letter to the Dali Lama and got a response...Clinton and Obama made public statements. Get it straight!!
Posted by: gdc95 | March 19, 2008 9:48 PM
Are you kidding?!
Posted by: JakeD | March 19, 2008 9:25 PM
Dalai Lama is using John McCain to proliferate his terrorism ideology under the cover of peace. What happened in Tibet over the last few days clearly indicates Dalai Lama is the mastermind behind all those riots and loots. He keeps denying it. But, all those crimes committed by his followers have revealed Dalai's terrorist mindset.
Posted by: brianwim | March 19, 2008 9:22 PM
Sydney ELLEN Wade:
Posted by: JakeD | March 19, 2008 8:54 PM
Jamphel NGAWANG LOBSANG YESHE TENZIN Gyatso (born Llhamo Döndrub) is the fourteenth and current Dalai Lama.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenzin_Gyatso%2C_14th_Dalai_Lama#Early_life_and_background
Posted by: JakeD | March 19, 2008 8:52 PM
The Dalai Lama did not write to Obama or Clinton. And that figures, let the kids play in the sandbox while you talk to the only adult in evidence.
Posted by: plaza04433 | March 19, 2008 8:37 PM
John Mc Cain is insane. He wants to go to war first and talk second. He is too old for the job and does not care if you or I die. His judgement is terminaly impaired.
Posted by: cabrini180 | March 19, 2008 8:20 PM
John Mc Cain is insane. He wants to go to war first and talk second. He is too old for the job and does not care if you or I die. His judgement is terminaly impaired.
Posted by: cabrini180 | March 19, 2008 8:19 PM
of course the Dali Lami will write back to McCain...He's a SENATOR!!!! Hardly an endorsement...Watch him meet with Pelosi this week!!!!
Posted by: gdc95 | March 19, 2008 7:36 PM
Doesn't that sound awfully close to "Ellen SIDNEY Wade"? I wonder what the Dali Lama's middle name is?
Posted by: JakeD | March 19, 2008 7:30 PM
Even the Dalai Lama endorses John SIDNEY McCain!!!
Posted by: JakeD | March 19, 2008 7:14 PM
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Hey, mind your own business first, American politicians.How do you know the real human rights situation in Tibet since you have never been there? The authority in China has been helping improve local people's life since the 1950s. Will democracy endorse Dalai's slavery rather than China's authorities' efforts? Seeing is believing. Make comments after you really have been there and have talked with local people there. Ask them if they still miss and welcome the Dalai Lama. They care more about their life's changing better than so-called spiritual freedom and religous freedom, which Chinese people haven't denied them... Get rid of your prejudice just because of different political and ideological viewpoint. We should be objective and not to impose our values on other nations, otherwise we will provoke their resentment.