Dalai Lama Awaits Word on South Africa Visa

Posted October 3rd, 2011 at 12:15 pm (UTC-5)
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The Dalai Lama is awaiting word on whether South Africa will allow him to attend a birthday celebration for fellow Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu.

The Tibetan spiritual leader requested a South African visa five months ago so he could attend Tutu's 80th birthday celebrations, which begin this Thursday.

As of Monday evening South African time, the visa had not been granted. Critics planned to hold a nighttime vigil outside parliament in Cape Town to demand the visa be approved.

The Dalai Lama has visited South Africa three times in the past but his fourth visa application in 2009 was turned down. It is widely believed that China, a key trading partner with South Africa, played a major role in that decision, though both countries have denied this.

China has accused the Dalai Lama and his followers of advocating secession for Tibet. The Dalai Lama has said he is seeking dialogue with China aimed only at establishing Tibetan autonomy.

The head of the Desmond Tutu Peace Center in Cape Town, Nomfundo Walaza, said the government's delay and silence about the visa application demonstrate a lack of respect for both Archbishop Tutu and the Dalai Lama.

President Jacob Zuma said Monday that he did not know what his government's final decision would be.