Nine out of ten French Presidential candidates will meet the Dalai Lama/ENG

2012. április 21./Phayul.com/TibetPress

By Tenam
Phayul Contributor

PARIS, April 20: As the French people gets ready for the first round of presidential elections this Sunday, Tibet supporters and the French Publishing house Le Nouvel Observateur posed questions regarding Tibet. Nine out of ten candidates affirmed that they will meet with the Dalai Lama. Students for Free Tibet France and International Tibet Network have been lobbying the Tibet issue with the French lawmakers for months now.

The incumbent President Nicholas Sarkozy, who met with the Dalai Lama in 2008 replied to Le Nouvel Obs that he has often "raised the Tibetan situation with the Chinese President".

"Tibet is an important subject for the French people, and for me. With regard to the Dalai Lama, on principle, I rule out nothing," Sarkozy added.

While Francois Hollande, who is the favorite to become the next French President added that the Dalai Lama is a "respected religious figure and a Nobel Laureate, who has renounced any political role. So, I have no reason to refuse to meet him."

"Even though meeting with the Dalai Lama has a strong symbolic value, I believe that the question is misplaced. Today, the Tibetan people have an elected political leader and I would prefer that my future President has a clear stand with regard to meeting Lobsang Sangey," said Anne Wachowaik, co-President of SFT France.

Pointing to the exploitation and destruction of Tibet's flora, fauna, forests, its glaciers, a country seven times the size of France, for over five decades, the Green candidate Eva Joly said that she will “meet and listen to the Dalai Lama, even many times”. Eva Joly also affirmed that the Tibet issue needs to be solved through dialogue and that she will not hesitate to meet officially with the Prime Minister of Tibetan government in exile, Lobsang Sangey.

“We can not remain silent on the pretext of our trade relations with China. The human rights must finally take precedence,” she added.

The Far right candidate, Marine Le Pen also affirmed that she will meet with the Dalai Lama. “France is a free and a sovereign country and she will decide whom she meets,” Le Pen replied.

Francois Bayrou, the centrist candidate from Democratic Movement, responded that he will meet if the Dalai Lama wishes to meet him. His spokeswomen, Nathalie Griesbeck said that her party will "act to defend the cause of Tibet and the fundamental rights of the Tibetan people."

"Francois Bayrou, if elected to the Presidency of the Republic, agrees to denounce the current situation in Tibet, to defend the interests of the Tibetan people and work for the resumption of constructive dialogue between Chinese authorities and representatives of the Dalai Lama. Similarly, we are committed to receive Mr. Lobsang Sangay to address these issues with him," she added.

Philippe Poutou, the candidate of NPA (Anticapitalist party), in agreeing to meet with the Dalai Lama, said that his party recognises “the right of self-determination of the Tibetan people” and denounces the repressive policies of the China.

“We call upon the release of all Tibetan prisoners of conscience and the respect of minorities rights in China,” he responded.

Nathalie Arthaud from Workers' Struggle (LO) says she is “unconditionally in favor of the Tibetan people's right to self determination and formally condemns the repression” of the Chinese state.

“I will propose to the Chinese authorities and the Dalai Lama, a three-way meeting to find a way out of the current situation. The ways of diplomacy are more effective than those of political posturing,” said Jacques Cheminade, another presidential candidate.

Only Jean Luc Melechon, the left candidate who is known for his pro-China stand vis-à-vis Tibet, refused to respond.

“We should keep in mind that not all leaders from his party toe this line. Mr. Jacques Généreux, the Party's second in command asserted on France Culture radio recently that he has “always supported the Tibetan people's struggle,” said Alexis, vice-president of SFT France.

If Francois Hollande becomes the next President of France, one might see “a hardening” of relation with China on "social issues, human rights, labour costs and environmental issues," said Valérie Niquet from the Paris-based Foundation of Strategic Research, as quoted by AFP.