Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 1:01am
Dalai Lama urges end to Tibet violence
The Dalai Lama Tuesday called for an end to the violence in Tibet and rejected China's accusations that he was responsible for the recent unrest. The exiled spiritual leader said Tibetans needed to live side-by-side with the Chinese. BBC News online reported Tuesday.
The Dalai Lama, speaking in Dharamsala, India, where his Free Tibet Movement is based, rejected accusations by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao of orchestrating the violence in Tibet. "Violence is against human nature," he said. "We must not develop anti-Chinese feelings. Whether we like it or not we have to live side-by-side."
The 72-year-old, who in 1989 was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his consistent opposition to violence, said even if "1,000 Tibetans sacrificed their life" this would be "not much help."
He reaffirmed that he wanted autonomy for Tibet within China, but not outright independence. He also rejected Chinese accusations that he has personally instigated the protests in Tibet and repeated his call for an international inquiry into why they took place.
China says rioters killed 13 people in Lhasa, but Tibetan exiles say 99 died in clashes with security forces. Tibetan activists released images they say depict protesters killed by Chinese security forces at Kirti Monastery in Sichuan province on Sunday, but the BBC is unable to verify these claims.
The Dalai Lama, speaking in Dharamsala, India, where his Free Tibet Movement is based, rejected accusations by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao of orchestrating the violence in Tibet. "Violence is against human nature," he said. "We must not develop anti-Chinese feelings. Whether we like it or not we have to live side-by-side."
The 72-year-old, who in 1989 was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his consistent opposition to violence, said even if "1,000 Tibetans sacrificed their life" this would be "not much help."
He reaffirmed that he wanted autonomy for Tibet within China, but not outright independence. He also rejected Chinese accusations that he has personally instigated the protests in Tibet and repeated his call for an international inquiry into why they took place.
China says rioters killed 13 people in Lhasa, but Tibetan exiles say 99 died in clashes with security forces. Tibetan activists released images they say depict protesters killed by Chinese security forces at Kirti Monastery in Sichuan province on Sunday, but the BBC is unable to verify these claims.