French Senators to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala

The delegation will be headed by Mr. Jean Francois Humbert, a senator from Franche Comte province in Eastern France who is affiliated with the right party. Senator Humbert was first elected to his position in September 1998 and was re-elected in September 2008. He participated in the first-ever official Senate delegation's visit to Dharamsala in May 2005.

The other members of the French are Mr. Jean Pierre Plancade, a senator affiliated with the Socialist faction and member of the Tibet Information Group; Mr. Thierry Repentin, another senator sharing Plancade's affiliations; and Mrs. Jacquelin Panis, a senator from the ruling UMP or Union for a Popular Movement, and member of the Tibet Information Group. Mr. Philippe Brault, Senate administrator and Mr. Wangpo, secretary of the Tibet Bureau in Paris, will be accompanying the delegation.

During the seven-day visit, the delegation will meet with His Eminence the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, as well as members of Tibetan Parliament and the Kashag. They will also visit various Tibetan educational, religious, and cultural institutions, and meet with representatives of Tibetan NGOs.

French legislators received His Holiness the Dalai Lama in a meeting at the Senate during his visit last August.