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Norwegian Parliament withstands Chinese pressure

Norwegian Parliament (called Stortinget) was due to host a luncheon for a visiting
delegation from the People´s Republic of China earlier this week, but the 20 April event turned into a
diplomatic standoff.

Published: April 27, 2009 Author: The Norwegian Tibet Committee

Parliament Member Olav Gunnar Ballo, a member of justice committee, had been asked by his colleagues to host the luncheon and it was agreed
from both sides few weeks before the visit took place.

Mr Ballo, however, was elected recently the new chairman of the Norwegian Tibet Committee at their general meeting on 28 March and Chinese authorities demanded that the Norwegian Parliament found another host for the luncheon. The Chinese said they would not attend the luncheon otherwise, so the parliament cancelled it.

The Norwegian Tibet Committee is pleased that the Norwegian Parliament did not let itself be dictated by Chinese authorities.

Mr Olav Gunner Ballo was head of the Parliament delegation to Tibet and the People´s Republic of China in November 2008. He is also the leader of all party parliamentarian group for Tibet.

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Norway – Oslo

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