Dalai Lama says he had no choice
2011-10-07 20:09
Johannesburg - The Dalai Lama says he had no choice but to withdraw his application for a visa to visit South Africa.
In a video message to the universities and organisations that invited him, he said he had been looking forward to the trip.
"However, the government of South Africa feels that it will be an inconvenience and with no sign or answer about my visit/visa, there was no other alternative but to withdraw," says the Tibetan spiritual leader.
"I feel very, very sad."
The video was posted on Friday on the University of Witwatersrand website in Johannesburg, where he was due to speak next week.
The Dalai Lama cancelled his trip on Tuesday after waiting in vain for a response from South African authorities to his application for a visa.
The government is weathering a storm of criticism for failing to issue him with a visa for the second time in two years.
- SAPA
