WARSAW (AFP) — Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama received honorary citizenship of the Polish capital Warsaw on Wednesday at the city's Royal Castle, destroyed by the Nazis and rebuilt after World War II."We Varsovians, the residents of this indomitable city, are proud that as of today the 14th Dalai Lama is one of us," Warsaw Mayor Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz told guests at ceremonies, including Poland's anti-communist icon Lech Walesa.
"As the councillors of a city which has suffered as much as Warsaw, we have the moral right and duty to express our respect and honor a person who is striving for the freedom and sovereignty for his nation, freedom that we have enjoyed for the last 20 years," Warsaw city council statement said. This year Poland marked 20 years since it peacefully shed communism with partially free democratic parliamentary elections on June 4, 1989.
"I'm extremely happy and feel it is a great honor to become a citizen of this great city," the Dalai Lama said after receiving the honor. More>>
"As the councillors of a city which has suffered as much as Warsaw, we have the moral right and duty to express our respect and honor a person who is striving for the freedom and sovereignty for his nation, freedom that we have enjoyed for the last 20 years," Warsaw city council statement said. This year Poland marked 20 years since it peacefully shed communism with partially free democratic parliamentary elections on June 4, 1989.
"I'm extremely happy and feel it is a great honor to become a citizen of this great city," the Dalai Lama said after receiving the honor. More>>
