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Dalai Lama welcomed with open arms in Ottawa

By: Mike Blanchfield

Posted: 04/28/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Sean Kilpatrick / The Canadian Press The Dalai Lama is escorted by Sen. Consiglio Di Nino as he arrives on Parliament Hill on Friday. (CP)

OTTAWA -- The Harper government firmly aligned itself Friday with one of China's sworn enemies -- the Dalai Lama, who thanked the world for its support of Tibetan Buddhists under siege.

His voice resonating through Ottawa's historic conference centre, the charismatic Tibetan holy leader said his "ancient nation, with ancient culture, is in danger of dying."

"As fellow human brothers, sisters really showing us your solidarity, and you really want to do something, I very much appreciate," the Dalai Lama said, leaning over his dais to address the Sixth World Parliamentarians' Convention on Tibet.

The gathering included parliamentarians from around the world, including MPs from Canada's three main federal parties. They were discussing the dire and deteriorating situation of the Tibetans, who have witnessed the self immolation of more than three dozen monks over the last year to protest China's oppression.

The Tories have grand trade ambitions with China, which considers the Dalai Lama a dangerous separatist. But several Tory caucus members were on hand to lend support to the Tibetan cause, including Sen. Consiglio Di Nino, who heads Parliament's Friends of Tibet group.

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney told the conference the government supports the Dalai Lama, a Nobel Laureate on which Canada conferred honorary citizenship in 2006.

Kenney reiterated Canada's commitment to open an office of religious freedom within the Foreign Affairs Department, as well as a 2008 statement from Canada calling on China to respect protests and enter into meaningful dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives to peacefully resolve the Tibet issue. "We continue to have encouraged positive dialogue with his holiness," Kenney told the gathering.

The minister remained at the head table for the Dalai Lama's speech.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper later privately welcomed the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader to his Parliament Hill office Friday afternoon.

Harper's office billed the meeting as a "private courtesy call," in an apparent a gesture to soothe any hard feelings with China.

The developments will not be viewed favourably by China's Communist government.

The Harper government has ambitious trade ambitions with China, and understands Beijing does not take kindly to western governments showing the Dalai Lama hospitality.

But that didn't matter to some Tories at the gathering. "I think China is going to buy oil and wheat and chemicals and iron ore. They need that stuff. They want that stuff," said Alberta MP Rob Anders. "Whether or not we draw attention to human rights abuses or to their diplomatic oversteps, to their intimidation or diplomacy or whatever, they're still going to need those supplies."

Opposition MPs backed the Tories in their show of support for the Tibetan cause. Liberal MP Irwin Cotler said he was happy to see all-party support for "one of the greatest heroes of our time."

-- The Canadian Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition April 28, 2012 A24

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