Dalai Lama refused visa for S. Africa peace conference

[jynxxxedangel]

March 23rd, 2009

Dalai Lama refused visa for S. Africa peace conference

Posted: 09:59 AM ET

(CNN) — South Africa has refused the Dalai Lama a visa to attend an

international peace conference in Johannesburg this week, a presidential

spokesman said.

The Tibetan spiritual leader and Nobel Laureate did not receive a visa

because it was not in South Africa’s interest for him to attend, said Thabo

Masebe.

South Africa thinks that, if the Dalai Lama attended the conference, the

focus would shift away from the 2010 World Cup — the global soccer

championship it will host next year.

“We cannot allow focus to shift to China and Tibet,” Masebe said, adding

that South Africa has gained much from its trading relationship with China.

The Dalai Lama’s fellow laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, said he would

boycott the event.

Former president F.W. De Klerk, another laureate, backed Tutu, saying in

a statement that he would also not participate in the conference if the Dalai

Lama remained excluded.

De Klerk said that the decision to refuse the visa made a “mockery” of

the peace conference.

“The decision to exclude the Dalai Lama is irreconcilable with key

principles on which our society is based including the principles of

accountability, openness and responsiveness and the rights to freedom of

expression and free political activity,” he said.

[Msterbeau]

The current status of humanity in a nutshell : Commercial interests come first.

[Oh_My_Goth]

[Head Wreck]

50 years the apes will definatly rule

[candyman]

Meh...in the whole scheme of things it really makes no difference. I would actually worry more about his safety there.

[Rev.Reverence]

..like..it's HIS planet...how can they keep him on the outs? douchebags...they'll get theirs!

[Simon Bar Sinister]

Regrettable (to say the least), but probably necessary. I don't know how many of you follow soccer at all, but SA's waaaay behind on preparations for the '10 World Cup and, given that they're almost certainly going to have to borrow major $$$ (among other things) from China in order to have a prayer in hell of being ready in time, I don't see that they (the current govt., that is) has much of a choice but to placate the Chinese.

[jynxxxedangel]

I commend Archbishop Tutu in his reaction. That's all I have to say.

[candyman]

Why can't the Dalai Lama vacuum under the sofa?

Because he has no attachments.

What did the Dalai Lama say to the hot dog vendor?

Make me one with everything.

The hot dog vendor said "that will be $2.50" and the Dalai Lama handed him a five.

And waited.

The Dalia Lama said "Hey where's my change?"

The hot dog vendor said "change must come from within"

[Rev.Reverence]

I commend Archbishop Tutu in his reaction. That's all I have to say.

Yeah..he is a good Brother...I'm still like, "How can you stop a Lama from moving across the planet?"

[Nightgaunt]

Perhaps he should disguise himself as a soccer hooligan.

[Scary Guy]

Whatever, Africans are all going to die of AIDS anyway. All he has to do is be patient. Then when we go in and take over because the population is next to nothing he can visit any time he wants.

[Homicidalheathen]

with his super powers why doesn't he just like teleport or something....float in...?

[candyman]

with his super powers why doesn't he just like teleport or something....float in...?

He usually rides a noble steed...which the Africans would probably kill and eat...

[Homicidalheathen]

I thought that was a sacred cow.

[torn asunder]

Why can't the Dalai Lama vacuum under the sofa?

Because he has no attachments.

What did the Dalai Lama say to the hot dog vendor?

Make me one with everything.

The hot dog vendor said "that will be $2.50" and the Dalai Lama handed him a five.

And waited.

The Dalia Lama said "Hey where's my change?"

The hot dog vendor said "change must come from within"