Rama Yade: "The Dalai Lama Isn't Dangerous"

Reacting to the Chinese government's declaration that the Dalai Lama hawks “lies” on the 50th anniversary of a March 1959 failed uprising against Chinese occupation that sent the Dalai Lama into exile, French Secretary of State for Human Rights Rama Yade stresses that the Tibetan spiritual leader is “a man of peace, a man of dialogue, ... of wisdom, an apostle of nonviolence. Therefore one owes him respect and regard." (article in French).

However, the moderate-conservative diplomat reiterated the French position against Tibetan independence. “What we wish it is that Tibet's spiritual and religious identity be fully respected”, she said. “We do not ask for Tibet's independence, as it is an integral part of China. It is the position of French foreign policy since de Gaulle.”

On the economic front, Secretary Yade declared that a “strategic partnership” between France and China “already has existed for several years, and will be maintained”. With regard to Tibet, she insisted that “there should be no interference from China, for it is right for the French head of state and a man of peace to meet", referring to the meeting between President Nicolas Sarkozy and the Dalai Lama last December in Poland.

A Paris Match-Ifop poll shows Secretary Yade tied for 1st place (71% approval) as France's most popular politico, with Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoë and former President Jacques Chirac (article in French). This is a jump from a different poll yesterday, which also placed her first.