The Dalai Lama can not be allowed to raise global issues on South African soil that would impact on the country's standing, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel says.

Speaking during a debate at the University of Cape Town, he said not allowing the Dalai Lama into South Africa was "a matter of relations between states".

"To say anything against the Dalai Lama is, in some quarters, equivalent to trying to shoot Bambi," he said.

"Let's put our cards on the table. Who is the Dalai Lama? I've heard him described as a god. I've heard him described as Buddha.

"Is he just the spiritual leader of the Buddhists in Tibet, or is he the one who on 28 March 1969 established a government-in-exile in the same way as Taiwan was established to counter the reality of a single China?"

Manuel said Tibet's history had to be looked at, because the Lamas had been "feudal overlords" in that country.

"The reason why the Dalai Lama wants to be here... is to make a big global political statement about the secession of Tibet from China and he wants to make it on the free soil of South Africa.

"I'm sure he's welcome to come at any other time, but we shouldn't allow him to raise global issues that will impact on the standing of South Africa.

"Quite frankly this has nothing to do with the PSL [Premier Soccer League], it is a matter of relations between states and that's what we have to stand up for."

Sapa

An expression of freedom? If freedom of expression exists, how does the ANC manage to silence every dissenting voice?

ET back on his high horse "We are being oppressed again. We will rise again." Eugene Terre'Blanche is back. Again.

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