” “"As part of the Year of Intercultural Dialogue, the Dalai Lama accepted the invitation made by the European Parliament for December". But, because of the current state of things, "he is welcome to the Parliament at any time he wishes to see us". The President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Poettering, speaks about what is happening in the Far East; yesterday Poettering chaired a special session of the EU Parliament to discuss the results of the recent summit of the 27 member states about economic and environmental issues. The MEPs also discussed the difficult relations between China and Tibet, and a discussion is going on within the EU about the position to be taken towards Peking. Some even ask for a total boycott of the Olympic Games next summer and some would like at least to see the opening ceremony boycotted. During the debate at the EU Parliament, the majority of speeches highlighted the failure to respect human rights and freedom of expression in Tibet. Poettering claims that Peking’s government should "negotiate with the Dalai Lama, while respecting China’s territorial integrity, and reach an understanding that may protect the cultural and religious identity of the Tibetan people".
