From AP:
China is protesting U.S. honors for the Dalai Lama this week by pulling out of a planned international strategy session on Iran sought by the United States, a State Department official said Monday.
China objected to participating in the meeting on the same day that the exiled Tibetan Buddhist leader is to receive Congress’ civilian honor at a ceremony attended by President Bush, the official said.
China is one of six nations that have offered Iran a deal to shutter disputed nuclear activities, and Wednesday’s meeting in Berlin was part of the U.S.-led drive to punish Iran for spurning the offer. [Full Text]
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