Dalai Lama unwelcome in Russia
2002-08-15 23:37
Moscow -
The Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday it was unlikely to
issue an entry visa to the Dalai Lama, the exiled leader of Tibetan
Buddhism.
"There may be problems" with the planned trip in September to
Russia's Buddhist regions of Buryatia, Tuva and Kalmykia, a
spokesman for the ministry in Moscow told the Interfax news agency.
The Russian government had said in September it did not object
to the tour. The Dalai Lama last came to Russia in 1992 and all his
visa applications have since been rejected.
The refusal to admit him is viewed as compliance with the
requests of China, which does not recognise the Dalai Lama's
authority and urges foreign governments not to assist him
travelling.
- Sapa-DPA
- SAPA