23. Feb 2010
China prevents Nepal from attending celebrations at Tibetan monastery
(IANS) IANS reports that senior Nepali politicians declined invitations to the celebrations of the centenary of the birth of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, one of the best known Tibetan Lamas and a former leader of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. The Chinese embassy in Nepal is said to have conveyed its anger over the invitations to Nepal's foreign ministry. Culture Minister Minendra Rijal, Foreign Minister and deputy prime minister Sujata Koirala, and Nepal's President Ram Baran Yadav, were reportedly among the invitees to the celebrations held at a monastery in Kathmandu valley. The president's office issued a statement, saying the president had not consented to be the chief guest at the monastery celebrations. It also hinted at action against "such organisations or persons involved in the dissemination of such false news".