OTTAWA – The City of Ottawa has extended a new invitation to the Dalai Lama, upgrading its proposed courtesy call with the mayor to a meeting with Interfaith Ottawa.
News of the offer comes in the wake of Prime Minister Paul Martin’s announcement that he plans to meet with the Tibetan spiritual leader.
Canadian political leaders have been scrambling to find a way to welcome the Nobel Peace Prize winner during his upcoming visit, without offending China.
Last week the city suggested a courtesy call with Mayor Bob Chiarelli at City Hall, a woeful response for the Canada-Tibet Committee, which had wanted the mayor to meet the Dalai Lama at the airport and present him with keys to the city.
The city’s chief of protocol, Cathy Bowles, said the mayor now thinks something more would be appropriate.
“Perhaps a broader meeting with Interfaith Ottawa would be something that would appeal to [the Canada-Tibet committee],” said Bowles.
Interfaith Ottawa is a committee of spiritual and religious leaders in the city, co-chaired by the mayor.
Bowles said the city has not ruled out some sort of public element to the visit, but that the meeting would mostly be in private.
“It would give them an opportunity to share the work that Interfaith Ottawa has accomplished and perhaps receive advice from such a highly respected spiritual leader.”
The Canada-Tibet Committee has reacted positively to the new offer, said Bowles, but the city is still waiting for official approval.
Bowles also countered suggestions that the city is following the prime minister’s lead. She said the city made the new offer Thursday, before Martin agreed to meet with the Dalai Lama.
