Julius Geezer

I was mildly amused this morning on hearing on the radio that Green Party leader, Environment Minister, former activist, and king capitulator John Gormley had comdemned Chinese abuses in Tibet, called for dialogue with the Dalai Lama, and referred to Tibet as a country at the Green Party Conference in Dundalk. No sooner were the comments out than the Chinese Ambassador Liu Biwei and his translator stormed out in disgust. Boo hoo.

Then with a broad smile, Liu made thugish and threatening remarks to the media about business relations between our two countries, expressing "hope" that these could continue. All through his translator of course.

Sorry Liu, but we say what we like in Ireland. We can walk into Fagans of a Tuesday evening and call Bertie Ahern a gobshite if the mood takes us. This may be hard for you to fathom but if you find you don't much like it I'm pretty certain we'll be alright without you.

Speaking of bad manners though, what is more insulting; Gormley condemning gross abuses in Tibet which all decent people are disgusted about, or China sending a senior diplomat to Ireland who cannot even speak English? It's a no-brainer that.

17/04/2008 - Edit:
I'll add the last paragraph from an excellent letter in the Irish Times today from Neil Steedman of the Tibet Support Group - Ireland. It is in response to a previous letter (from a Kevin Lynch) claiming Gormley's comments were "a disgrace" and insulting to the Chinese.

Mr Lynch expresses concern that the Chinese ambassador (who knew of Mr John Gormley's criticism in advance and attended the Green party conference merely to stage a walk-out protest) was "insulted". He labels Minister Gormley's remarks "a disgrace". On the contrary, it is those worldwide - and particularly in Ireland, given our history - who choose to turn a blind eye, deaf ear and dumb mouth to what the Chinese Communist Party is doing in Tibet who are a disgrace. If the Chinese ambassador, or Kevin Lynch, feel "insulted", then: "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn". - Yours, etc,

NEIL STEEDMAN, (Tibet Support Group - Ireland), Arklow, Co Wicklow.

Posted by JG at 8:59 PM |