THE SOUTH African government has been accused of succumbing to pressure from their Chinese counterparts following its decision not to grant the Dalai Lama a visa this week to attend a peace conference.
Snubbing one of the world’s spiritual leaders has caused uproar in the country and prompted two of South Africa’s Nobel Peace Prize winners to boycott the 2010 football world cup related event. The conference is set to discuss ways to combat xenophobia and racism through football.
The Dalai Lama had been invited by his fellow Nobel Peace Prize laureates, former South African presidents Nelson Mandela and FW De Klerk, and Archbishop Tutu, given his status across the globe as a champion of peace.
However, South Africa's Sunday Independentnewspaper quoted Chinese official Dai Bing from China's embassy in Pretoria as saying his government had warned South Africa the visit would risk bilateral relations.
South Africa is China’s biggest trading partner in Africa and accounts for nearly 21 per cent of the Asian giant’s trade across the continent.
The India-based Tibetan government in exile yesterday confirmed the Dalai Lama was denied a visitor’s visa, saying the South African government had come under “intense pressure” from China to stop the visit.
But the South African government has denied the accusation and claimed it had not invited the Dalai Lama as it would not be in the best interests of the country.
“The South African government does not have a problem with the Dalai Lama. But at this time the whole world will be focused on the country as hosts of the 2010 World Cup. We want the focus to remain on South Africa,” presidential spokesman Thabo Masebe said.
The government’s position has prompted Archbishop Tutu and Mr de Klerk to boycott the event. Mr Mandela was not scheduled to attend and has yet to comment.
Speaking from California, Archbishop Tutu explained his position and maintained if the Dalai Lama was refused entry to South Africa, he would continue to boycott the conference.
He added: “I will condemn government’s behaviour as disgraceful, in line with our country’s abysmal record at the United Nations Security Council, a total betrayal of our struggle history. We are shamelessly succumbing to Chinese pressure. I feel deeply distressed and ashamed.”
Tensions between Tibet’s and China’s leaders have been high over the past year, as it is the 50th anniversary of China’s invasion of the country this year.