San Diego, CA, USA - His Holiness the Dalai Lama wrote to Mrs. Maike Kohl-Richter this morning to express his sadness on hearing that Chancellor Helmut Kohl has passed away. He referred to him as a visionary leader and statesman and told her he offered prayers on the late Chancellor’s behalf and would like to convey his condolences to her and the members of her family.
“I had great admiration for Chancellor Kohl’s steady leadership when the Cold War came to a peaceful end and the re-unification of Germany became possible,” he wrote. “Like him, I am also an enthusiastic admirer of the spirit of the European Union, which was founded to promote the common interest ahead of individual nation's concerns. This Union has delivered more than six decades of peace, reconciliation and prosperity in Europe.”
He concluded that the best tribute we can pay to such leaders as Chancellor Kohl is to carry their vision forward and work to inspire future generations so the EU continues to serve as a model of unity and strength in times to come.
