Jesse Ferguson
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/071028/n102832A.html
I think this article is not so good, just because it doesn’t really state the relevance of it to us, Canadian readers.
“If Stephen Harper is hoping to forge a political as well as a personal friendship with the Dalai Lama this week…” What if, he doesn’t? Any repercussions? What exactly are they? What do these potential repercussions mean for us Canadians? I would like to know the potential results. If this is such a big thing, then tell me why!
If this is the topic, how Harper will meet with the Dalai Lama, then it gets WAY off topic, way deep into how the meeting went with George W. Bush. This story is two-in-one.
It probably should have started addressing the five-W’s. What, Who, When are all supplied, but—with exception to which—the main question is just not answered for us in the nick of time necessary to keep the reader involved. Finally, at the eight paragraph of the release, we are told why this may make any relevance to us Canadians.
The hook or “lead” of this story was good, for it in fact comes a bit of a shock that the Dalai Lama “loves him as a human being.” This “him” being president Bush, and that Prime Minister Harper can actually learn from how Bush dealt with him is also shocking.
I think this story could have used some shifting around. The lead is appropriate, but following it should have come why it is a goal that Harper makes a good impression on the Dalai Lama. Bush made a good impression and how he did so should be considered secondary to the main topic.
I am aware the news story was news because the Dalai Lama had already met with Bush, but then they should have separated it into sub-stories with headings. Or at the least, they could have separated it up a bit. Like so:

The Dalai Lama had this to say about the man he met Sunday: "I love him, really, as a human being. Very nice man, very simple, straightforward, no formality.”
Who could he be speaking of?
Stephen Harper is hoping to forge a similar political as well as a personal friendship with the Dalai Lama this week. He may want to consider the example of none other than President George W. Bush on that one.
That was just who the Dalai Lama was referring to when he said “I love him.”
Harper is hoping to begin a good relationship with him for a few reasons. The domestic controversy over Harper's own war-fighting policies in Afghanistan tops the list…

(and then continue the article leading at the Dalai Lama’s meeting with Bush)