WASHINGTON – The White House says President Barack Obama and the Dalai Lama will meet at the White House this month.
Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs confirmed to reporters Thursday that the meeting would be in February but didn’t specify a date. The Dalai Lama’s secretary has said he will be in Washington on Feb 17-18.
Chinese leaders have urged Obama not to meet with the exiled Tibetan religious leader.
The White House says Obama told China’s leaders last year that he would meet with the Dalai Lama, viewed by U.S. leaders as a respected religious and cultural leader. Beijing says the Dalai Lama seeks to destroy China’s sovereignty by pushing independence for Tibet.
Associated Press – February 4, 2010
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.