What China Demands, Obama Provides « NewsReal Blog

What China Demands, Obama Provides « NewsReal Blog:

Last April, after the Dalai Lama–the spiritual leader of Tibet–announced his intention to travel to the United States in October, the Communist Chinese gave President Barack Obama a stern warning against meeting with him. China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu made it quite clear that the Chinese, who invaded Tibet and have ruled it with an iron fist since 1950:

Firmly oppose the Dalai’s engagement in separatist activities in any country under whatever capacity and under whatever name. We have made representations to the United States urging the U.S. to honor its commitments and not allow the Dalai to engage in separatist activities in the United States.

This is not the first time the Chinese have threatened another country over meeting with the Tibetan spiritual leader.

Last year, the Chinese issued a similar threat to French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The French President was not intimidated, however, and did not hesitate to meet with the Dalai Lama, dismissing Chinese objections as unfounded. “The Dalai Lama,” said Sarkozy, “is not dangerous and is a man of peace.” The Chinese retaliated by cancelling a major economic summit with the European Union and organized a boycott of French products.

Sarkozy did the right thing and the French maintained their pride in the face of Chinese economic retaliation.

How has Barack Obama, President of the United States and leader of the free world, dealt with the same Chinese threat? Did he emulate Sarkozy and put human rights before economic blackmail?

He did not."