Senate distances itself from China declaration of top Czech officials

The Czech upper house of parliament, the Senate, has distanced itself from a statement aimed at curbing Chinese anger over meetings between Czech politicians and the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. A resolution tabled by the opposition Civic Democrats and passed Wednesday, pointed out that Senate leader Milan Štěch was expressing his own personal opinion and not that of the Senate as a whole when he signed up to the declaration. It was also signed by the head of the lower house, the prime minister, and president. Štěch earlier said he did not regret the wording of the declaration but would have presented it differently if he had to again. The declaration was prepared by the foreign ministry after minister of culture Daniel Herman met with the Dalai Lama.

Author: Chris Johnstone