ESPRESSO, What I Discussed with the Dalai Lama

WHAT I DISCUSSED WITH THE DALAI LAMA
by Dimitris Kapsioti	26. 07. 2001

Dressed in the red robe of Tibetan monks, simple in demeanor and with the smile of a small child painted on his lips, the political and spiritual leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama, welcomed the MEP from PASOK, Anna Karamanou, who visited him with a group of her colleagues in Dharamshala, India. In a simple, unadorned building with no trace of grandeur, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate hosted them and, for two whole hours (despite the health issues he has faced recently), cheerful and smiling, engaged in conversation with them.

The MEPs traveled there to extend an official invitation for him to speak in the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on October 24, and they had the opportunity to meet him up close and hear his views. “There is no problem, of course I will come to Europe,” he told them.

The Dalai Lama, speaking with Anna Karamanou, showed particular interest in the Olympic idea. “What I told him about the truce during the Games particularly impressed him,” the MEP told “Espresso,” “and he even seemed not to know about it and immediately asked his advisors.”

“Really, so hostilities would stop during the Olympic Games in ancient times?” asked the Dalai Lama, impressed, as he seemed unaware of this detail about the truce during the Games. Furthermore, the MEP was quick to describe the holding of the Olympic Games in Beijing as a good opportunity for international pressure to address the issue of Tibetans with China.

“How can we convince China that we are seeking not independence, as they think, but autonomy for Tibet, respect for human rights and religious freedom, as well as the right to preserve the uniqueness of our cultural identity?” the religious leader wondered.

“The Dalai Lama, despite his dual role of authority, advocates for a complete separation of religion from the state,” Ms. Karamanou told us. “We drank tea together and discussed everything. They treat him like a god there, yet he is rapidly moving towards democratization. He has already formed a Parliament of 46 people and has 8 ministers. He even told us,” the MEP continues, “that…” “I am the last Dalai Lama. The 14th, the reincarnation of the 13th, who died in 1933. I hope not the worst, who will have the dual authority. We are adopting all democratic functions. In September, we will have elections and will also elect a prime minister.” .

He, born in 1935 and exiled since 1959, is now trying to find a solution to the problem, and his anxiety is to achieve his goal before he dies and the 6,000,000 followers are assimilated by the Chinese.

Ms. Karamanou, enchanted by the trip and her meeting, gifted the Dalai Lama CDs featuring Maria Callas. “He felt very happy with the gift. “Oh! She is wonderful,” he told me. He knew about Callas and was very pleased that I offered them to him. I was somewhat hesitant at first, but he was thrilled with the gesture. .

The PASOK MEP, immediately after her return, rushed to meet with the Chinese ambassador, who informed him about the meeting, while she also requested to meet with Foreign Minister George Papandreou to update him. “You should know that the Foreign Minister is the first to support the idea of a truce between China and the Tibetans and backs the core of the Dalai Lama’s policy for non-violence and resolving issues through dialogue and peaceful means”, concluded Anna Karamanou.