07. Jun 2009
Paris honours Dalai Lama
(France-Tibet; TibetInfoNet) The Dalai Lama was made an honorary citizen of Paris. The act met strong opposition from China which has been particularly sensitive about French positions on Tibet since the torch relay in Paris in April 2008 and a meeting between President Nicolas Sarkozy and the Dalai Lama in December of the same year. "I receive this distinction as a human being to defend human values, peace and non-violence", the Dalai Lama said as he accepted the title from Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoe. Delanoe clarified "I have never been in favour of an independent Tibet, I am not a Buddhist. My positions are bound to the values which Paris stands for".