Bush to Honor Dalai Lama

Oct 16, 08:22 PM

Current Headlines: U.S. President George Bush, in the face of protests from China, is set to award the Dalai Lama the Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony Wednesday.

After meeting in private Tuesday with the Buddhist leader and exiled Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Bush will become the first sitting U.S. president to appear in public with the spiritual and political leader during the high profile ceremony.

We understand that the Chinese have very strong feelings about this, White House spokesperson Dana Perino said during a news briefing, which is why Bush discussed the visit with Chinese officials about two months ago. We feel we have a very strong relationship with them, and that will be maintained.

Chinese officials view the which views the Dalai Lama as a separatist because he seeks autonomy for Tibet.

Photos of Tuesday's meeting between Bush and the Dalai Lama were taken, but none were released, Perino said. Chinese officials asked that a photo not be distributed.

(We) in no way want to stir the pot and make China feel that we are poking a stick in their eye, to a country that we have ... a good relationship with on a variety of issues, Perino said.