French Prez Sarkozy warned not to meet Dalai Lama
9 Jul 2008, 1403 Hrs

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Paris, July 9 (ANI): French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who confirmed he would attend the opening ceremony of Beijing's summer Olympic Games, has been warned by China not to meet with Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, in France in August.

According to reports in the New York Times and the China Daily, China's ambassador to France, Kong Quan, told reporters there would be "serious consequences" for Sino-French bilateral relations if Sarkozy meets the Dalai Lama, saying that it "would be contrary to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs."

Sarkozy has been vague on whether he will personally meet with the Dalai Lama, regarded by Beijing and many Chinese as a separatist who has advocated resistance to China's sovereignty. (ANI)