Beijing slams Martin's meeting with Dalai Lama

Canadian Press

Ottawa — Considering its own unity struggles with separatist Quebec governments, Ottawa should know better than to encourage the Dalai Lama — an Asian separatist, the Chinese government charged Tuesday.

Officials with the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa condemned the decision by Paul Martin to become the first Canadian prime minister to meet with the Tibetan spiritual leader.

The Prime Minister's office announced Monday that Mr. Martin will meet with the Dalai Lama when he visits Canada later this month.

The link Chinese officials are making with Canada's recurring unity problems indicate just how angry Beijing is about the entire visit.

“An audience given to the Dalai Lama by Canadian government officials will be a drastic departure from Canada's current policy on the issue of Tibet and it will be construed by his followers as an encouragement of his separatist activities,” the embassy said in a statement.

http://theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040413.wlama0413/BNStory/Front/

its so nice to give a smack to ol' Bejing!

n/t