China, Tibet, and Freedom

New York Times
March 21, 2008

During Visit, Pelosi Offers Support to Dalai Lama
By SOMINI SENGUPTA

DHARAMSALA, India — As far as visits by American politicians go, it would be hard to stage a warmer reception.

Buddhist nuns waved American flags and the Dalai Lama ordered his followers to offer a standing ovation Friday morning as Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the House of Representatives, came to Dharamsala, the emotionally charged headquarters of Tibetan exiles, and seized the opportunity to stick a finger in the eye of China.

“If freedom-loving people throughout the world do not speak out against China’s oppression in China and Tibet, we have lost all moral authority to speak on behalf of human rights anywhere in the world,” Ms. Pelosi, Democrat of California, told an overwhelmingly Tibetan audience of around 2,000 people in the courtyard of the town’s main temple, Tsulakhang.

The visit by Ms. Pelosi, accompanied by nine other members of Congress, most of them Democrats, was arranged some time ago as part of a visit to India. As it happened, though, it came on the heels of the largest protests in Tibet in nearly two decades, followed by a broad crackdown by China, and almost nonstop demonstrations in solidarity in this city, where the Tibetan government in exile has its base.

The timing could not have been better, at least for the Americans. It was unclear what the visit would yield for Tibetans or even for the Dalai Lama, other than a symbolic boost. Certainly Ms. Pelosi’s visit received more coverage from the news media than it might otherwise have; the protests in Tibet have brought reporters from around the world to this small Indian hill town.

On Friday morning, Ms. Pelosi and her husband, Paul Pelosi, descended the stairs of the temple to huge applause, with the Dalai Lama sandwiched between them, holding their hands.

“We are here at this time to join you in shedding bright light on what is happening inside Tibet,” Ms. Pelosi said.

Throughout her speech, which lasted less than 10 minutes, the Dalai Lama sat in a stuffed chair, clasping his hands, rocking side to side, a smile on his lips.

“Little did we know we would be coming at such a very sad time,” she continued. “Perhaps it is our karma, perhaps it is our fate we be with you at this time.”

The prime minister of the Tibetan government in exile, Samdhong Rinpoche, said just before Ms. Pelosi arrived that his administration had no specific requests of the American politicians. “That she will suggest,” he said.

The winding road to the temple was lined with flags — of the United States, India, and the Tibetan government in exile.

One man in the audience held up a homemade placard that read “Thank you for recognizing nonviolent struggle.”

A 38-year-old monk who spent four years in a Chinese prison for participating in protests in Tibet in 1988 said he hoped Ms. Pelosi would use her visit to put concrete pressure on the Chinese government, including encouraging dialogue with Beijing and a push for international humanitarian agencies to aid those injured.

“If she doesn’t do anything and just come here, then nothing,” said the monk, who gave his name as Bagdro.

The American delegation was first accompanied by the Dalai Lama to the main prayer hall of Tsulakhang Temple. They were scheduled to have lunch at the Dalai Lama’s residence, followed by a visit to a Tibetan school and crafts center nearby.

The Dalai Lama has long enjoyed American support.

Last fall in Washington, he received the Congressional Gold Medal. Ms. Pelosi noted then that when the Dalai Lama was young, he received a gold watch from President Franklin D. Roosevelt, which he carried with him when fleeing Tibet in 1959.

Her first message to the audience on Friday was to acknowledge their gift to her country.

“Thank you for your warm welcome and thank you especially for flying the American flag today,” she told them. “This is more than we could have ever dreamed of.”