Its amazing how this so called International Community (NATO) always has something to say regarding African decisions.What I sy to Africa stand firm do your thing; we will never imagine our destiny our FREE THINKING INDIVIDUALITY AFRICANS REGARDS FOR THEIR FRIENDS AND THE ALLIANCES THEY FORM WHICH IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE ALLIANCES NATO HAS WITH ISRAEL".INTHIS WORLD EVERYONE LIVES BY THE SAME RULES, NO MAN CAN TELL ME WHO MY FRIENDS ARE AND WHO I SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT SPEAK TO!!!!! NO ONE IS BIGGER THAN NO ONE!! ; REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY BATTLESHIPS AIR FORCE JETS NUCLEAR WEAPONS IT DOES NOT MATTER !! YOU CAN NOT FORCE A MAN TO LIKE ANOTHER MAN IF THERE IS EMNITY THERE.IF YOU HAVE TO THREATEN AND COERCE SOMEONE TO DO WHAT YOU LIKE THEN THERE WILL ALWAYS BE ANIMOSITY!!!! NEVER WILL THERE EVER BE LOVE THERE!!!!!!! .IN REGARDS TO THE ENSLAVERS THEY HAVE NO RIGHT TO SCRUTINISE WHAT SOVEREIGN INDEPENDENT FREE WILLED PEOPLE CHOOSE TO DO ; INTERFERING IN A FREE AFRICA IS UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!!!!

Just a quick response to the hysterical comment preceding mine. For some reason, the writer has decided to equate "international criticism" with NATO and that is rather far-fetched. Experience has shown sustained support by individuals and human rights organizations across the globe for the Dalai Lama's message of peace and kindness toward all mankind. For some, he is a symbol for the "Free Tibet" movement but he is above politics as he sees his duties. Because the Dalai Lama is no threat at all, I am not surprised that certain quarters questioned the motives for the visa denial. I believe the Chinese people are admirable in many ways but it is undeniable that they live under an authoritarian regime that has a mixed record (like all governments). Part of that mixed record concerns Tibet but it doesn't stop there. It is also worth examining Beijing's relationship with the erhnic Uighur population in Western China. We can criticise every country and we'd all be right. It would give the world a big boost if ideologues would not be contemptuous of different viewpoints; not likely when the narrow interests of some continue to reign sovereign over broader interests of all. The ideologue's political identity is of little consequence; not when the most important distinction is between those who want people to be controlled and those who have no such desire. None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.