April 25 [10:00 EST] -- On Wednesday, the cause that's inspired two major all-star concerts came to Washington, D.C., represented by the Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader in exile.
The Dalai Lama first gave a speech in which he said his countrymen would "never give up our hope" for self rule, and then met with Vice President Al Gore.
President Clinton dropped in on the Dalai Lama's meeting with Vice President Gore, but the president cannot officially welcome the Dalai Lama without enraging China. The Chinese government objected to the meeting, despite the president's attempts to spark negotiate between the two nations.
China's 50 year rule over Tibet led to last summer's Tibetan Freedom Concert. Beastie Boy Adam Yauch, who organized last year's show in San Francisco, has put together a second event scheduled for June 7 in New York City.
It has just been announced that Blur will join the Beastie Boys, Björk, Sonic Youth, Foo Fighters, Porno For Pyros, Pavement, Biz Markie, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, members of R.E.M., and A Tribe Called Quest at the show.
Speaking of A Tribe Called Quest, this week sees the release of a remixed 12-inch vinyl reissue of their classic early hits, "I Left My Wallet In El Segundo" and "Bonita Applebum."
