ANC sacrifices principle in Dalai Lama affair

The Refusal by the ANC government to grant the Dalai Lama a visa to attend the 2010 World Cup-organised peace conference planned for this Friday once again demonstrates how the ANC is willing to sacrifice principle to satisfy a party funder, the Chinese government.

This matter has nothing to do with, "what is in the best interest of the country" as indicated by Foreign Affairs department spokesperson, Ronnie Mamoepa, but the ANC cow-towing to a major funder that has poured extensive resources into its election campaign.

COPE condemns this partisan act by the ANC. It is further proof of the ANC's narrow, factional and opportunistic tendency. This failure by the ANC government to take advantage of a diplomatic opportunity to welcome a person of such stature to our shores and using this opportunity to contribute to the settlement of the Tibetan issue demonstrates that ANC foreign policy is for sale to the highest bidder. The ANC now  routinely betrays its stated principles as an organisation. It has become an organisation for the rich, the resourced and the powerful. It cares nothing for suffering people, whether in Tibet or elsewhere. COPE supports the call for a just, lasting and peaceful settlement of the Tibetan issue.  COPE supports all international and diplomatic initiatives to realise these goals.

Ends.

Statement issued by Dr Mvume Dandala, Congress of the People presidential candidate, March 23 2009

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