China's fear of the Dalai Lama

China has cancelled its December 1 summit with the European Union because of a planned meeting between the Dalai Lama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy. "China has gone too far", writes Le Figaro. "Nicolas Sarkozy is no advocate of Tibetan independence. Who can complain when he exchanges a word or two with a man of the Dalai Lama's stature? ... This time it seems that very superfluous precautionary measures have been taken. The meeting will not take place in the Elysée Palace, nor even on French soil ... whereas in London, Berlin and Washington the Dalai Lama is welcomed with the red carpet. ... Does the paranoia of the Chinese Communist Party leaders stem from their fear that new demonstrations or other troubles will spring up in Tibet or elsewhere in their country?"

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