January 10, 2004
Source: The Independent
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/story.jsp?story=479780
On January 10, 2004 The Independent reported, "Tony Blair was accused last night of snubbing the Dalai Lama by refusing to meet the exiled Tibetan Buddhist leader when he visits Britain in May. The Tibet Society said the Prime Minister's refusal - because of 'other diary commitments' - undermined British ministers' call to the Chinese government to negotiate with the Dalai Lama. 'The Dalai Lama deserves better than Tony Blair's feeble fob-off response. He has set a model of peaceful governance that should be applauded, not shunned,' said Philippa Carrick, the society's chief executive."