South Africa Blocks Dalai Lama's Visit

By Michael Burgevin

The South African Peace Conference has been postponed during a rising storm of diplomatic turmoil after the government denied a visa to the Dalai Lama. Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former President F.W. de Klerk, who had personally invited the Dalai Lama to the conference, lambasted the government for refusing to issue the visa, pulling out of the meeting in protest and accusing Pretoria of bowing to Beijing's whim. “We are shamelessly succumbing to Chinese pressure,” Mr. Tutu told reporters on Monday. “I feel deeply distressed and ashamed.” This is the first time that any foreign government has denied entry to the Tibetan spiritual leader.

The conference, set to take place on March 27, was intended to explore the role that soccer can play in the fight against racism and xenophobia leading up to 2010 World Cup, which will be hosted by South Africa. Organizers decided to suspend the event indefinitely in light of the government’s decision, announcing that “in the spirit of peace, (we will) postpone the South Africa Peace Conference to ensure it is held under conducive conditions.” Event organizer Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, expressed his great disappointment in Pretoria. “This rejection by the government, to not issue a visa, is really tainting our efforts at democracy,” he lamented. “It's a sad day for South Africa. It's a sad day for Africa.”

Government spokesman Thabo Masebe announced that the Dalai Lama’s visit could present a “distraction” during the buildup to the World Cup. “The people would be talking about Tibet, talking about China and so on,” said Masebe in defense of the government’s decision. If Pretoria's intent was to avoid conflict, the plan backfired. Many domestic and global leaders have questioned the government’s commitment towards democracy and human rights. “Just the very fact that this government has refused entry to the Dalai Lama is an example of a government who is dismissive of human rights,” said Health Minister Barbara Hogan.

A senior presidential aid told The Times that although “we have nothing against (the Dalai Lama), we have a key strategic relationship with China and we would really not want to do anything to jeopardize that.” South Africa is China’s largest trading partner in Africa, accounting for more than 20 percent of Beijing’s trade with the continent. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang announced that Beijing is “resolutely opposed” to any country providing the Dalai Lama with a forum to address the world, and applauded South Africa’s decision.