File 2 - Áras correspondence 1991 Part 2

37 pp

Folder of material relating to His Holiness The Dalai Lama (DL)'s visit to Ireland in 1991, the possibility of President Mary Robinson (MR) receiving him in the Áras, the refusal from Government in case it caused issues with China, and the decision by MR to attend exhibition in Chester Beatty Library (CBL) DL was opening as a compromise, despite Taoiseach Charlie [Charles J] Haughey's advice not to do so.

Includes letter from Joan Duff, Acting Librarian and Director, CBL informing MR that the DL had accepted invitation from CBL trustees to open exhibition "The Noble Path - Buddhism in Asia at the Chester Beatty Library" the following March, 25/01/1991; typed copy of letter from Peter Ryan (PR), Secretary to the President, to Frank Murray (FM), Assistant Secretary to the Government, stating MR was anxious that a private visit between MR and DL take place 07/02/1991 and typed response from FM stating the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) had advised that "Ireland recognises the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, including Tibet", that a courtesy call might be interpreted as recognising DL as leader of Tibetan "Government-in-Exile", and stating Taoiseach remained "of the view that the President should not become involved in the scheduled visit...", 15/02/1991; typed letter from Brian Walsh, Chairman, CBL, stating he would "be most happy to present His Holiness" to MR at the exhibition launch, if she was happy to receive him, 15/02/1991; fax from FM to PR of note FM received from S Whelan, DFA detailing a visit Whelan had received from Mr Zhao Xingman, First Secretary at the Chinese Embassy, in which Xingman sought confirmation of DL's visit to Ireland, and asked whether Ireland would impose restrictions including "(1) that the Dalai Lama have no contact whatsoever with Irish officials; (ii) That the Irish authorities restrict the Dalai Lama's "activities, remarks and statements" while in Ireland, and (iii) that the Dalai Lama's opening of the art exhibition be "properly handled" by the Irish authorities", to which Whelan responded with the Government's position including that "there was no basis on which the Dalai Lama, a distinguished religious leader and the Nobel Peace Prize winner, could be excluded from making a private visit to this country", 19-20/02/1991; typed memo from PR to MR giving more background on Chinese Government's reaction to DL meeting other heads of state and officials, 27/02/1991; typed note from PR to MR giving details of phone call conversation with Dermot Nally (DN), Secretary to the Government, in which DN stated that the "Chinese are very "worked up" about it and becoming more so", that press enquiries had been received by the Taoiseach's Department as to whether MR had expressed an interest in meeting DL, and that Taoiseach considered this "could only be the result of "leaks" from the Áras and is very concerned", 04/03/1991; handwritten note from MR to PR stating his message re call with DN had caused her "deep concern ", that she was confident there had been no leaks, she regretted both the inference involved and the indirect route the Taoiseach had expressed his concern, and requesting a meeting with Taoiseach to discuss, and subsequent correspondence between PR and MR on how implication in Taoiseach's communication should be rebutted, 05/03/1991; typed memo from PR to MR on possible items for discussion for meeting with Taoiseach including re works, services and furnishings at the Áras, decision from Government that MR not attend unveiling of European Bank logo "which was difficult to comprehend", DL's visit to Ireland and MR's invitation to attend CBL exhibition, press leaks and confidence between MR and Government, Northern Ireland and foreign invitations generally, MR's allowance, interviews, and Bord Fáilte message which related to attached letter from FM to PR relaying Taoiseach's disappointment that MR had recorded a video for Bord Fáilte for transmission on U.S, television, without consultation with or reference to the Taoiseach or his department, 15-19/03/1991; letter from MR to Taoiseach stating she regretted they did not have meeting as she had requested, that she had accepted his advice on not inviting the DL for private visit to the Áras, but that she had accepted the invitation to attend the exhibition at the CBL that afternoon, and if the need arose, that she would make clear she was doing so "as a private courtesy to a distinguished and widely respected spiritual leader", 22/03/1991; typed reply to MR from Taoiseach stating "that a meeting between [MR], as Head of State, and the Dalai Lama, even as a private courtesy, will have consequences for our relations with the People's Republic of China", 22/03/1991; photocopy of MR's official reply to the Taoiseach's letter of 22/03/1991, in which she outlined her reasoning for accepting the CBL invitation, referenced the earlier efforts of the Chinese to have DL prevented from entering the State, and stating it was clear Chinese sensitivities were "far in excess of what could be considered reasonable. It is not appropriate that the Chinese should be able to influence the activities of the Head of State to the extent that they seem to wish...", 22/03/1991; typed background note on DL, including considerations involved in not inviting him to Áras but accepting invite to CBL, and official lines for press, 22/03/1991; typed itinerary for visit to the CBL exhibition and private meeting with DL, 22/03/1991; handwritten letter from Anto and Neil, marked "private and personal", in which they thanked MR for attending the CBL invitation, noted "In one evening (and six months determined effort) you have achieved more for the Tibetan cause than we have managed in three years". His Holiness was simply delighted...", and signed off thanking MR on behalf of Tibet Support Ireland, Eco-Tibet, Asanga Institute, Dao Sh[onu?], Cork Dharma Group and Dublin Dharma Group among others, 25/03/1991, with envelope with slightly damaged red seal.

Ref: P143/4/6/1/2/2

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