INDIA: Dalai Lama says Tibet problems should be thoroughly investigated

Record ID: 1377190

  • Title: INDIA: Dalai Lama says Tibet problems should be thoroughly investigated
  • Date: 16th March 2008
  • Summary: (BN10) DHARAMSALA, HIMACHAL PRADESH, INDIA (MARCH 16, 2008) (ANI) DALAI LAMA WITH OTHER TIBETAN MONKS DALAI LAMA WITH FOLLOWERS CLOSE VIEW OF THE DALAI LAMA DALAI LAMA WITH HIS FOLLOWERS DALAI LAMA PRAYING MONKS PRAYING (SOUNDBITE) (English) DALAI LAMA, SPIRITUAL TIBETAN LEADER, SAYING: "Firstly, what is the situation in Tibet and what is the causes, whether from outside -- including myself -- really created or started this problem or not. (There should be) Thorough investigation" MONKS OFFERING PRAYERS MONKS IN THE PRAYER ROOM (SOUNDBITE) (English) DALAI LAMA, SPIRITUAL TIBETAN LEADER, SAYING: "I think everybody knows my approach about the Tibetan -- but firstly, whether Chinese government admit or not this problem" MONKS (SOUNDBITE) (English) DALAI LAMA, SPIRITUAL TIBETAN LEADER, SAYING: "(China is) Basically, cultured nation, with a long history, so right through the history, I express -- China deserves to have sports -- Olympic Games" DALAI LAMA WITH FOLDED HANDS
  • Embargoed: 31st March 2008 18:44
  • Keywords:
  • Location: India
  • Country: India
  • Topics: International Relations,Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVAEDEEWLF4O2EBSHXBSHKGTYSY5
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: The Dalai Lama says there should be a thorough investigation into whether cultural genocide has been taking place in Tibet.
    The Dalai Lama said on Sunday (March 16) that there should be a thorough investigation into whether cultural genocide has been taking place in Tibet.
    The comments from Tibet's spiritual leader came as police and troops locked down Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, two days after street protests against Chinese rule that the region's government-in-exile said had killed 80 people.
    Speaking at a news conference in India's northern Dharamshala, he appreciated the fact that the international community is showing a lot of interest and concern for the Tibetan cause.
    The Dalai Lama rejected allegations made by China that he was behind the recent protests in Lhasa and said that the international community should investigate what he called the "cultural genocide" of Tibet.
    He said that the international community had the "moral responsibility" to remind China to be a good host for the Olympic games, but added that China deserved to host the event.
    Monks first took to the streets of Tibet last Monday to mark the 49th anniversary of another protest and protests soon spread to adjoining regions inhabited by pockets of Tibetans. China has said at least 10 "innocent civilians" died, mostly in fires lit by rioters in Lhasa on Friday.
    The convulsion of Tibetan anger at the Chinese presence in the region was a sharp blow to Beijing's preparations for the Olympic Games in August, when China wants to showcase prosperity and unity.
    China has declared a "people's war" of security and propaganda against support for the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, underlining that it will not heed calls from around the globe for a lenient response to the riots.
  • Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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