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Dalai Lama set to miss Costa Rica visit

The Dalai Lama, leader of Tibetan Buddhists was set to visit Costa Rica this September however fears of causing a dispute with China have led to the high profile trip being cancelled. It was due to coincide with the exiled leader’s visit to America and several Latin American countries where he was expected to make a series of public presentations and deliver religious messages to crowds.

Nevertheless the visit has been cancelled by Costa Rican President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Oscar Arias who describes the Dalai Lama as a personal friend, yet due to worries that the visit may provoke political problems with the President of China who is also expected to enjoy a stay in Costa Rica in October.

Relations between China and Tibet has long been ridden with problems following Chinese occupation of the region almost 50 years ago which forced the Dalai Lama to flee the country to India where he has remained since, attempting resolve the differences between Tibet and China. The current Beijing Olympics 2008 has again turned the spotlight to the ongoing dispute amid a series of public demonstrations for Tibetan independence.

However it would appear that there are no ‘hard feelings’ between the Holy Leader and Costa Rica. In fact the Dalai Lama has previously talked over his admiration of the Costa Rican political set up following his stay in the country back in 2004. For a demilitarized nation to continue to have a stable economy and be committed to peace and the protection of the natural environment is said to have impressed the leader and have given him inspiration of a vision of Tibet for the future.

Nevertheless whilst the continuing row remains between the two areas it would appear that President Oscar Arias is not willing to take the risk of upsetting mighty Chinese Government.