Prior to the visit, the Chinese foreign ministry and embassy to the Netherlands had made clear to the Dutch government that such a welcome would have "consequences". Parliamentarian Harry van Bommel was quoted as saying that China had the "disguting nerve" to send a "threat letter" to Parliament. Despite this, the Dutch parliament openly received the Dalai Lama.
However, the coward and hypocritical prime minister Balkenende was too scared to meet the Dalai Lama himself. Ironically, Balkenende is the one who is always preaching about "norms and values", and yet under pressure from an authoritarian and foregin regime, he cowers. In contrast, the Danish prime minister, German chancellor and French president were not afraid to meet the Dalai Lama.
Dalai Lama giving the to Tsering Jampa, the Executive Director of the International Campaign for Tibet: http://savetibet.nl/
Dalai Lama with his Amsterdam souvenir cap
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