Why did President Bush antagonize China by giving the Dali Lama an award?

Question

The Dali Lami has been in exile since 1959, why give him the award NOW when relations with China are in jeopardy?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071017/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_dalai_lama;_ylt=AmlpFeBpRVnAAUm1fmzTf5ms0NUE

How is this different from the Armenian genocide resolution?

steddy - the ceremony itself was handled very publicly, with full media coverage allowed and Bush giving a speech.

Answer 1

I'm surprised that Bush didn't have the President of Taiwan visit at the same time and vocally support the push for independence of that country away from China.

After all, isn't Bush's mission to support freedom and democracy around the world? Why not support Taiwan's bid?

Answer 2

BEIJING, Oct. 16 — Chinese officials warned the United States not to honor the Dalai Lama, saying a planned award ceremony for the Tibetan spiritual leader would have “an extremely serious impact” on relations between the countries.

Speaking at a Foreign Ministry briefing and on the sidelines of the Communist Party’s ongoing 17th National Congress, the officials condemned the Dalai Lama as a resolute separatist and said foreign leaders must stop encouraging his “splittist” mission.

“Such a person who basely splits his motherland and doesn’t even love his motherland has been welcomed by some countries and has even been receiving this or that award,” Tibet’s Communist Party boss, Zhang Qingli, told reporters during the congress.

In recent months, China has stepped up its attacks on the Dalai Lama even though Chinese officials and envoys from the Tibetan leader have engaged in a on-and-off dialogue over terms of reconciliation.

While Beijing says it is willing to allow the Dalai Lama to return to China if he promises to respect Chinese sovereignty over Tibet, they have dismissed his efforts to work for a “middle way” that gives Tibet a higher measure of autonomy under continued Chinese rule.



The Dalai Lama once said, "Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck."
He would certainly know.
The leader of Tibetan Buddhism, Tenzin Gyatso was only five years old when he was installed as the 14th Dalai Lama in 1940.
Almost twenty years later, he supported Tibet in a fight against Chinese rule.
Forced to flee, the Dalai Lama has lived in exile in Dharamsala since then.
Today he is to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor in a ceremony at the Capitol in Washington, DC.


Quote

"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." — Dalai Lama

Answer 3

The Dali Lama deserved this award. I'll agree with Bush, Congress & the government on this. I think you also need to realize that they handled it very well - no press, no pictures released, etc. It was handled quietly. Yes, it is a sensitive thing, but what should the U.S. do - refuse to recognize his efforts because it might upset China? That would only send the message that the U.S. fears China, and will bend to their wishes. Too bad if the Chinese government doesn't like it, this is between the Dali Lama and the U.S.

Answer 4

Why do you're saying they're attempting to offend China by skill of honoring the Dalai Lama?? he's a huge guy and a great impact! He has worked in the direction of peace his finished existence, and if everyone deserved that award, wouldnt it relatively is him?? Please do slightly diagnosis on him, and the situation in Tibet! i in my opinion think of China is heading down a terrible path for our planet, animals, and the chinese language human beings, Tibetan human beings and anybody else in the worldwide. they might desire to a lot skill appropriate now seeing because of the fact the make maximum the products in this usa!! The dictatorship is misguided in itself, however the scientific situations in china, the way the anybody is taken care of, what they're doing to the ambience, and what they're doing to human beings in Tibet is misguided and inexscusable!!! so whats your element?

Answer 5

Do you really think that it was his intention to antagonize them? Haha!

It was a simple gesture. Anyone who wasn't born yesterday knows that absolutely anything remotely similar of an action this would send the Chinese into a field day. That's just how it is. Why is it surprising in any way? No matter who would have done it. It really has little to do with Bush and in the end, it really isn't nearly as a big of a deal as "Yahoo!" is making it out to be.

Answer 6

Do our supply lines for the war in Iraq go through China? That's how it's different. Turkey's cooperation is essential for our military operations in Iraq. The Dali Lama received a CONGRESSIONAL gold medal. Why do libs always feel the need to divert blame. It's your Democrat Congress that bestowed the award on the Dali Lama, Bush merely presented the award.

Answer 7

I think both are the same, and both are fine with me.

If china or turkey want to be offended because they refuse to own up to what is right,....then F em'. Right is right, and screw whoever is offended by it.

I happen to hate Bush with a passion..., but in this case he gets kudo's for not being a puppet to china ..and giving the Dali his award which he deserves.

Answer 8

Did china become a NATO country in the last couple days and I didnt hear about it.... wow I thought I payed attention. good thing they are okay with supply lines over china still, wait we dont do that either... maybe they get so mad they stop shipping their (poisonous) stuff here in protest.

I’m sure the Democrats who were all set to vote on that bill will still get a chance to annoy another vital ally eventually. Hey look, Japan’s cabinet has approved extending its naval mission in support of the war in Afghanistan. Let’s draft a resolution condemning them for the 17th century suppression of Christianity

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/...

Answer 9

This fit into the Dali Lami's schedule. The Armenian Genocide resolution doesn't fit well with our mission in Iraq.

Answer 10

If Bush and China's Leaders have nothing better to do then antagonize over such drivel, the world should be in perfect shape, with no real problems whatsoever.