MEP critical of Dalai Lama speech to EU parliament

The Dalai Lama has come under fire from one of parliament’s most senior MEPs over his policy towards China

Speaking in parliament on Thursday, the Tibetan exile leader said his movement was not "separatist", stressing his commitments to "strictly non-violent methods" to achieve his goals.

He told MEPs that his aim was one of “meaningful autonomy” from Beijing.

But UK Tory MEP Edward McMillan-Scott says the Dalai Lama is “plain wrong” to “limit” his campaign and should be pressing for “fully fledged” independence.

McMillan-Scott, a parliamentary vice president, said, “The Dalai Lama is very diplomatic and I admire him but the truth of the matter is that he does not reflect the majority reformist movement in Tibet.

“The fact is that Tibet and China and two totally different countries," he told theparliament.com

“Tibet is largely ignored by the international community and, instead of saying he does not advocate separatism, the Dalai Lama should be arguing the case for fully-fledged independence for his country."

McMillan-Scott is one of parliament’s harshest critics of the current Chinese regime and is among a group of 30 MEPs who are today staging a fast in protest at China’s policy on Tibet.

The region was the scene of violent disorder in March this year and, over the years, has been the source of friction with Beijing.

McMillan-Scott’s comments come after the Dalai Lama addressed MEPs in Brussels and appeared at a packed news conference where he spoke of Tibet’s “struggle” with China and again stressed that he did not advocate “separatist” policy.

He told journalists, “The Chinese government likes to present some elements in Tibet as terrorists, but that is totally wrong.

“There are two groups in China, one is hard-line against Tibet while the other is more lenient, but despite this my faith towards China remains unshaken.”

The Chinese authorities call the Dalai Lama a wolf in monk’s clothing and a devil with a human face, hell-bent on breaking Tibet away from China.

His European tour includes meetings with the Belgian and Czech prime ministers and French president Nicolas Sarkozy.

Parliament’s president Hans-Gert Pottering, speaking at the same news conference, said that China’s inclusion in the international community should be dependent on it “recognising the liberty and identity of Tibet.”

He also insisted that the Tibet issue should be included in any future EU-China summits.

 

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