US embassy cable - 05FRANKFURT5998

C O N F I D E N T I A L FRANKFURT 005998 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/06/2015 
TAGS: KIRF, PGOV, PINR, GM, CH, XD 
SUBJECT: DALAI LAMA VISITS GERMANY 
 
 
Classified By: Consul General Peter Bodde for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1.  (C) SUMMARY:  The Dalai Lama paid a three-day visit to 
Frankfurt and Wiesbaden to receive one of Germany's most 
prestigious awards (the Hesse Peace Prize).   Hesse 
Minister-President Roland Koch (CDU/Christian Democrat) drew 
praise from across the political spectrum for his 
endorsement of the Tibetan cause as a human rights issue. 
The Dalai Lama reiterated his commitment to non-violent 
engagement and privately expressed frustration in dealing 
with Nepalese authorities.  END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (U) In the televised award ceremony, Minister-President 
Koch praised the Dalai Lama's long-standing commitment to 
non-violence in resisting China's violations of Tibetans' 
human and cultural rights.  No one questions China's 
territorial integrity, Koch emphasized, but human rights 
apply universally.  He portrayed the Tibetan reality as one 
filled with injustices including many stemming from China's 
policy to marginalize Tibetans through the settlement of 
Han-Chinese in Tibet.  These policies undermine religious 
freedom and the preservation of Tibetan culture and 
language, Koch said.  Speaking out in Tibet "means prison, 
rape, deportation, and death."  Koch thanked the government 
of India for hosting the Dalai Lama and pointedly asked "... 
where are the Panchen Lama (and) the many monks and others 
who spoke out for Tibetans and whose whereabouts are 
unknown?" 
 
3. (U) In his acceptance speech, the Dalai Lama asked for 
continued support for religious freedom and cultural 
preservation in Tibet.  In a press interview, the Dalai Lama 
called for engagement with China but indirectly criticized 
the Schroeder government's initiative to lift the EU arms 
embargo against China ("China is threatened by no one") and 
cited the continuing torture of political prisoners in 
Tibet. 
 
4. (SBU) The following day, twenty thousand people attended 
a public celebration of the Dalai Lama's 70th birthday at a 
park in the state capital (prominently featuring the banned 
Tibetan flag).  In a private conversation with Consul 
General (at a function sponsored by the American Chamber of 
Commerce), the Dalai Lama expressed frustration with 
Nepalese authorities' handling of Tibetan refugees. 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
5. (SBU) Minister-President Koch has ties to the Dalai Lama 
dating back two decades (and recently called on him in 
India).  Deputy Bundestag president Antje Vollmer (Greens) - 
- from the opposite end of the political spectrum -- gave 
Koch credit for an honest and important speech.  With the 
three-day visit, the Tibetan cause has gained enhanced 
visibility in Germany -- and Koch has scored points among 
many Germans who would not normally support a political 
conservative.  END COMMENT. 
BODDE