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The Chairman of the Australia Tibet Council, George Farley, writes to ATC supporters expressing disappointment and urging them to action…
Dear ATC Supporter
You will no doubt have read or heard in today’s (Wednesday 16th May) media that Opposition Leader Mr Kevin Rudd has apparently decided not to meet with the Dalai Lama when he visits Australia next month.
Prior to these reports, I wrote to Mr Howard and Mr Rudd on your behalf formally requesting that they each meet with the Dalai Lama. In essence I said such a meeting:
“… would be an appropriate acknowledgement of the Dalai Lama’s significance as a global spiritual and humanitarian leader who inspires millions of people, including hundreds of thousands of Australians. It would also demonstrate that the Australian Government is willing to publicly demonstrate its commitment to peaceful conflict resolution in general, and to negotiations between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama and his representatives in particular”.
The letter went on to say that such a meeting:
“… would provide an ideal opportunity for the Dalai Lama to explain his understanding of the significance of the five rounds of Sino-Tibetan dialogue which have occurred …[and that he] … would warmly welcome any advice or insights you might be able to offer”.
To date I have not received a reply from either Mr Howard or Mr Rudd and while I am not optimistic, we should not assume that they are resolved not to meet the Dalai Lama.
Like you, I change my mind about many things, as do people in the public arena. They are subject to many more influences than you or I, and we will be exerting whatever influence we have to bring about these meetings. I believe that the Dalai Lama deserves to be acknowledged and honoured by our political leaders as perhaps the greatest living exemplar of non-violence and compassion in the face of overwhelming opposition. He needs the advice and support of our political leaders.
Please take a moment between now and Friday to write to your local Federal Member of Parliament asking them to do whatever they can to encourage their party leader (Mr Howard or Mr Rudd) to meet the Dalai Lama.
We will keep you updated as the situation develops between now and the Dalai Lama’s arrival on 6th June.
George Farley
Chairman
Read ATC Press Release: ‘Howard And Rudd Urged To Resist Chinese Pressure, Meet Dalai Lama’
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