It’s now been reported that one of the passengers aboard the Air France flight from Brazil is an Icelander – a man in his 40s. His identity has not been revealed.
It’s rare that an Icelandic national is involved in an international tragedy such as this one, and in a small community like ours it seems to affect people on a level that I’m sure would be less profound if the population were larger and more diversified. It really brings out the tribal aspect of this nation; this man, whoever he is, is “one of us” and it’s quite hard to accept that “one of us” has been involved in a tragedy of such nightmarish proportions. It’s one of these things that gives you pause, makes your heart go out to “his people” as we say around here, and makes you realize what a tightly-knit family we really are, despite all our bickering and annoyances. At the end of the day, everyone matters.
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The Dalai Lama is here. He arrived yesterday, attended a church service with other religious leaders at Hallgrímskirkja this afternoon, and will give a lecture at the Laugardalshöll arena tomorrow.
Much has been made today of the fact that none of Iceland’s political leaders requested a meeting with Dalai Lama prior to his arrival. The organizers of the visit – private individuals – tried repeatedly to set up a meeting between him and the Prime Minister, for instance, but neither the Office of the Prime Minister nor the Ministry for Foreign Affairs responded to the request. [Sounds like Icelandic public administration at its finest - the working practices that we all know and love.] All MPs were sent an announcement about the Dalai Lama’s visit but none requested a meeting with him. The President, meanwhile, is off galavanting in Cyprus for the Small Nation Olympics [seriously, the sooner they get rid of that silly presidential office, the better. I think the vast majority of us have lost all respect for the prez in the months since the meltdown - these days he just seems like a frivolous clown].
Personally, I don’t know what to make of this. I’m reluctant to pass judgment [yes, you read that right!] before I know why the PM and MFA decided not to meet with His Holiness. Were they too busy? Was this a case of good ol’ fashioned Icelandic incompetence? Or were they afraid of pissing off the Chinese? If so, then I definitely think they deserve a spanking because that’s the worst possible reason. When did trade relations become more important than human rights, anyway?
Alas, I fear we won’t find out the real reason. No doub pundits will get busy trying to fill in the blankst, though.
WE”RE COMING OUT OF A LONG HOLIDAY WEEKEND
And the weather has certainly cooperated for most of us, being mostly free of rain or other dastardly conditions. It’s been a little cool, at least where I tend to hang out [near the sea], which didn’t appear to be much of a problem for these guys, whom EPI and I encountered on our walk out near the Grótta lighthouse today. Temps were around 10°C with a fresh breeze, but they’d just come from taking a wee dip in the sea. Hardy Vikings, arrr. Right now 8°C [46F]. The sun came up at 3.23 and set at 11.30.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I think I am going to be pissing you off with my ideas here.. but hey.. tolerence is what the Dalai Lama preaches.
My reaction to the fact that there was an Icelander on the plane was (apart ofcourse from the fact that it is tragic and awful for his family and friends) was that – what is it with Icelanders – they are everywhere (remember the terrorist attacts in Mumbai, swine flu in Mexico? Rúv manages to find an Icelander whenever something happens)
As for the polies not wanting to meet his holiness – Össur and the Dalai Lama – I am sorry Össur is just not worthy, as for Jóhanna, I figure she has had to put up with so much crap that she probably has lost all faith and hope in any religious leader – not matter how worthy – that she figured it would be better just to avoid rather than incite. Perhaps she is having a private meeting out of sight of the masses. I thought it more interesting that the utanríkisnefnd asked for a meeting with him – a cross political committee that probably has more influence than Össur or Jóhanna on how Icelands external relations are formulated – I found that extremely positive.
Anywho, thats just my two cents worth.
The Queen didn’t receive an invite to next weekend’s D-Day in commemorations in Normandy, so Barak Obama stepped in to ask the French to sort out an invite for her! Maybe he’ll step in again and ask Iceland’s Prime Minister to sort out an invite for the Dalai Lama…
The Dalai Lama is on the record as being anti-gay. Jóhanna might not care to be associated with that viewpoint.
What a horrific tragedy; the loss seems incomprehensible and far reaching.
And how odd that no government official will be meeting with His Holiness. Out of curiosity, do you know which private organization coordinated his visit?
To be perfectly honest, why should they meet with the Dalai Lama? Should they meet with the pope, if he ever wishes to bless Iceland with a visit? Should they meet with famous Mullahs? Should they meet with Orthodox Jewish religious leaders? Just because buddhism and the like is now fashionable doesn’t mean we should start mixing religion and politics. Of course, private meetings are certainly recommended if MP’s think they are relevant for their personal or professional functioning.
Are they?
>When did trade relations become more important than human rights, anyway?
Some time back in October.
Seriously, the Icelandic people are going to be suffering enough over the next few years. No need to be pissing off the world’s new economic superpower.
And if that sounds shallow, consider that we all live in absolute luxury compared to the vast majority of the world and, as societies, are quite happy with that.
Cowards! The Danes and the French didn´t have a problem meeting this guy. Iceland shouldn´t let a bunch of commie bastards dictate who meets who.
I would expect that the reason or the PM/MFA for not meeting the Dalai Lama is exactly the fear to piss off the Chinese. It’s the same here, when the Dalai Lama is visiting Germany – there is much beating about the bush, who is going to meet him and who is not. This is primarily about trade relations but some people argue that such a meeting is a purely symbolic public gesture and more can be achieved via diplomatic channels. In Germany there are always at least some second-rank politicians, who agree to such a meeting – btw. not always the most trustworthy politicians.
I struggled a bit yesterday with my response to learning that there was an Icelander aboard the Air France flight … the news immediately took on a whole new level of deep concern/sadness and I could only think of that person, their family and Iceland. I think what I struggled with is that I was putting this loss above all others and at the same thime thinking that this was really a disproportionate or even an inapropriate reaction. That deep connection and tribal aspect extends to many of us of Icelandic descent, but I have to remind myself that many nations and families are grieving.
Thanks for the input, everyone. As always, your opinions are valued (within reasonable limits, heheh.)
Jessie – his visit was organized by a couple of women who have been disciples of his teachings for many years.
It is perfectly normal for the people of small communities/countrys to feel a sense of loss when any of their own are lost, although viewed from outside it may seem a bit parochial. One of the great urban myths on newspaper headlines was the supposed reporting of the Titanic disaster by the Press and Journal Aberdeen. It was “North east man lost at sea” Not true of course, and had probably originated from news posters outside shops when victims names were released, but the myth took off and lasted for decades.
The dali Lami in Iceland, how cool is that!! Surely the IR could have duplicated the famous photograph of Chairman Mao swimming in the Yangtse with one of the Dali in the blue lagoon, The Chinese would appreciate it!!