Obama to meet Dalai Lama despite China's protest

Wednesday, February 03, 2010
WASHINGTON: The White House said today that President Barack Obama will meet with the Dalai Lama, rejecting Chinese pressure to snub him amid escalating disputes between the Pacific powers.

"The President told China leaders during his trip last year that he would meet with the Dalai Lama, and he intends to do so," White House spokesman Bill Burton told reporters on Air Force One en route to New Hampshire.

"The Dalai Lama is an internationally respected religious and cultural leader, and the president will meet with him in that capacity," he said.

He did not give a date, but the Dalai Lama is due in the United States later this month for public teachings in California and Florida. "We'll announce a date as it comes closer," Burton said.

China has stepped up its warnings for Obama not to meet the Tibetan spiritual leader after the Obama administration irritated Beijing by selling arms to Taiwan.

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India's swine flu death rate is increasing

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