| MP Meets Tibet's "Leader in Exile" |
| Wednesday, 28 May 2008 | |
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John Pugh was one of the MPs who welcomed the Dalai Lama to Parliament last week, and he described the experience of meeting the exiled Tibetan Spiritual Leader as "truly memorable".
The Dalai Lama used his visit to Westminster to urge MPs "not to forget their commitment" to human rights throughout the world. He reiterated that he wants regional autonomy - not independence - for Tibet, and again proclaimed his support for the Beijing Olympics; "I made clear right from the beginning  we fully support Olympic Games. The Olympic Torch is part of that. We must respect, we must protect that." he said. Dr Pugh meanwhile described the Dalai Lama as possessing "one of the most infectious smiles I have ever come across, coupled with a surprisingly cheeky laugh". The MP has echoed the assertion that the real test of China's commitment to open a dialogue with the exiled leader would come after the Olympics had finished: "The next round of talks is scheduled for June, but it's crucial that the media focus on China which has resulted from the Olympics doesn't simply fade away once the Games are over." said the MP this morning. Dr Pugh also criticised Prime Minister Gordon Brown's decision to meet the Dalai Lama at Lambeth Palace, as opposed to either Downing Street or Parliament: "The Prime Minister claims that the venue for his meeting simply isn't important - an attitude that's either exceptionally naive or cynically disingenuous. If Gordon Brown is apparently willing to shape his schedule around what may offend the Chinese Government, then this hardly bodes well for the level of political support Tibet can expect to receive from him." |