France says health reasons prevent Dalai Lama visit

Poor health has prevented the Dalai Lama from confirming a visit to France next month but he will meet President Nicolas Sarkozy if he visits, the Elysee Palace said.

The Dalai Lama had been expected in Paris in December for a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights but the weekly Journal du Dimanche quoted an aide as saying he would not be in France next month.

Along with other winners of the Nobel Peace Prize, the Dalai Lama had been due to meet Sarkozy. But the newspaper said he had been disappointed by Sarkozy's attitude during his last visit to France in August.

The Dalai Lama last visited France in August but did not meet Sarkozy during his two-week stay, which coincided with the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Western leaders have had to tread carefully in meeting the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, whom China regards as a secessionist.

Sarkozy's office said the Dalai Lama's representatives had been assured that a meeting would take place if he attended the December 10 ceremony.

"Health reasons alone have prevented the Dalai Lama from announcing at this stage his presence in Paris in December," the Elysee said.

The Dalai Lama was hospitalised with abdominal pain in August and underwent gallstone surgery last month in the northern Indian hill town of Dharamsala.

Sarkozy, who attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Games, faced criticism in France for not risking Chinese displeasure by meeting the Dalai Lama during his last visit.