by Keith Locke
- The Dalai Lama’s 2007 NZ visit included a trip up to the Green caucus
I was a little disappointed to read Brian Rudman’s column this week in the New Zealand Herald about the upcoming visit of the Dalai Lama. In Mr Rudman’s opinion our Prime Minister shouldn’t meet with the Dalai Lama when it could upset the Chinese Government.
Cheeking a non-ally like China over an issue as esoteric as Tibet seems suicidal.
We can’t even persuade or bully our tiny near-neighbours like Fiji to restore democracy, or Tonga to institute it, so why risk our livelihood taunting the elephant with genuinely big tusks?
Now earlier this month Tonga did take some very important steps in regard to its progress on the road to democracy so perhaps Brian needs to keep up with the play on this issue.
As to comparing Fiji and China – well neither countries are democracies and both have issues with human rights.
New Zealand should as a principled independent country do its utmost to advance globally a respect for human rights. We should surely be engaging in constructive talks with both Fiji and China when the opportunity arises to press for progressive reforms and to raise the plight of human rights.
It wasn’t just me getting a little peeved by Brian’s miss-directed missive on the Dalai Lama. Liam Hehir of Palmerston North felt so incensed by the cavalier way Tibet had been reduced to an ‘esoteric issue’ he dropped the Herald a line. Personally I think Liam hits the nail on the head with his criticism of the basic moral flaw in Brian Rudman’s opinion piece.
If Tibet is an irrelevancy then what are we? We are a small,isolated and weak like Tibet. Were the same fate to befall us, would our cause perish under Mr Rudman’s calculus?
Meeting the Dalai Lama may seem a futile gesture, but as the English Philosopher Edmund Burke noted:
“Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little.”
Published in Featured | Justice & Democracy by Keith Locke on Thu, November 26th, 2009
Tags: Brian Rudman, Dalai Lama, NZ Herald
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on the trolls and those who are unable to keep on topic
“Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little”
Sounds like an idea for a Green Party billboard.
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Thank goodness you are only a little disappointed.
For once sanity reigns.
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I’d no idea that John Key wasn’t a man of his word, that he would flip the flop or turn his coat at the drop of a hat!
My faith in him is truly shaken.
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John must have learned some extra info between the first decision and the second eh….eh?
Really, the Great Nation cannot take this kindly man doing as he pleases. Nations are routinely threatened.
Routinely back down.
So if one person committs homocide – there’s an inquiry (one hopes)
If a Nation commits thousands – we bow low and try not upset them. Gotchya!
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Any chance you need someone to carry some marigolds/ make tea/ stand in the corner stuttering & grinning/… at this event, Keith?
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a failure in Foreign Affairs – Obama saw fit to discuss ‘uman Rights with China.
Perhaps we should explain (to the Chinese) that NZ is an extremely Tolerant Democracy – and would have an interest in the Dalai Lama as a Religeous/Spiritual Person.
He didn’t preach anti-chinese rhetoric when I saw him.
Further we could translate Hone’s e-mails to the Chinese Ambassador and explain that he is Still in Office Here.
That Freedom of Speech is an Extreme notion in NZ.
That would I think, stun ‘em speechless!
…and seeing a VIP like the Tibetan Monk is entirely consistant with that freedom
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