Parliamentarians and activists have joined in their criticisms of Switzerland’s federal ministers for refusing meet with the Dalai Lama.

Below is an article published by Khabrein:

The Swiss Tibetan friendship organization criticizes on Tuesday [16 March 2010] the position of the Swiss federal council, refusing a meeting with Dalai Lama during his visit to Switzerland next Month.

On the other hand some members of the Swiss parliament expressed there disappointment from the Swiss decision, which uses the argument of the Chinese Government towards dalai lam without putting a clear position of Switzerland in this issue.

The Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey had announced yesterday that none of the Swiss federal council will meet the Dalai Lama during his next visit to the country in April because of "scheduling reasons".

Calmy-Rey pointed out during a question time at the Parliament that China can see this meeting as an "encouragement to the Tibetan separatism".

"The Federal Council is aware that the Tibetan community in Switzerland the anniversary celebration, (50 years Tibetans in Switzerland - Merci Switzerland) attach great importance. However, could attend, unfortunately that non of the members of the provincial government will join the ceremony", said Foreign Minister.

She announced that the Dalai Lama visited Switzerland several times and met a number of politicians and members of the Tibetan community in Country.

Some analyst said that Switzerland is afraid of a strong reaction from China, one of the most important partners of the Country.