The Bureau du Tibet, Paris, hosted the official reception to celebrate the 70th anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's brithday at the at the prstigious Hotel de la Questure, National Assembly, France. It was attended by 8 members of National Assembly led by Mr. Lionnel Luca, President of Tibet Group, Diplomatic Adviser to President of French National Assembly, staffs of the National Assembly and the Senate, diplomats, officials from French foreign and Home Offices, mayors of cities, Tibetan community leaders, Tibet suporters, Chinese friends, intellectuals and media persons.

Addressing the around 100 guests, Mr Tashi Phuntsok, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Western Europe, welcomed the invitees and as per the Message of Kashag on the occasion of His Holiness 70th Birthday presented a brief outline of His Holiness' activities to elaborate the kindness and care with which His Holiness has looked after the Tibetan people around the world. As emanation of Buddha of Compassion, His Holiness has shouldered the affairs of Tibetan people and Tibet at a very tender age, confronting challenges presented by Chinese invasion of Tibet and later of refugee life and currently in persisting with the Middle Way Approach to resolve of the Tibetan problem through non-violent, peaceful contacts and negotiations.

During the early refugee life when Tibetan people were faced with desparate new life and new environment the very mention of His Holiness' name ensured them free transport and food in India. Today also the very mention of His Holiness' name to peoples of the world instanteneously evokes the problem of Tibet and Tibetan people. His Holiness the Dalai Lama in fact and indeed personify Tibet and its people and is undisputed spokesperson of Tibetans around the world. In other words His Holiness the Dalai Lama is both temporal and spiritual leader of Tibet. To express their gratitude the Tibetans all over the world observe the day with special enthusiasm and joy, he added.

In global context there are very few other leaders in the world who has worked so hard for world peace and harmony amongst various religous faiths, not only in this century but also in the last century. His Holiness, recipient of of Nobel Peace prize, has met and worked with most leaders of the world during his visits to over 55 countries. Mr. Phuntsok thanked all for their support for Tibet and made special mention of Mr. Lionnel Luca and his colleaques.

Mr. Lucca, in turn, recalled the recent visit of French National Assembly and the Senate to Dharamsala and reiterated their commitment for Tibet. According to him year 2005 is important in France for Tibetans as various activities for Tibet are being carried out all over France to observe the "Year of Tibet".
He said that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a world leader of peace and non-violence, irrespective of the fact whether you are believer or non-believer, agnostic or Christians. He assured his and his colleaques' continued support for Tibet and called for more actions in view of the next Olympic Games in Beijing.

Mr. Lucca agreed that in such times of national tragedy a leader of unque quality and ability personifies his people and his country. He drew the parallel of General Charles de Gaulle of France during the second world war. He wished His Holiness a long life and expressed the wish to celebrate the next birthday in Lhasa, Tibet.

With His Holiness 's portrait and two huge thangas of Buddha Shakyamuni and Buddha of Compassion, hanging in the hall, Mr. Tsering Wangdu and Mr. Lobsang, two well-kown Tibetan artists and played various Tibetan instrument i the background to provide a gentle Tibetan ambience.