posted by wisdombuddhahttp://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gqYpgu8scNeJbwaNjCQfHRpLMFxADemos on third day of Dalai Lama visit to Britain
8 hours ago
LONDON (AFP) — China's response to its earthquake disaster is an encouraging sign of openness but Beijing lacks the moral authority of a true superpower, the Dalai Lama said Thursday, amid protests against his trip here.
On the third day of a visit here, the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader warned that China's "ruthless suppression" in Tibet would only fan calls for independence, which he did not back.
"We are not seeking separation," the Buddhist monk told the BBC. "Sooner or later we'll have to talk with China's government so the question of independence or separation is out of the question."
He acknowledged opposition to his view within Tibet, where a Chinese crackdown against demonstrators in March left more than 200 Tibetans dead and 1,000 injured, according to the Dalai Lama's government-in-exile.
"The longer time (there is) no improvement inside Tibet and ruthless suppression continue(s), then more frustration, then this view can increase," he said.
The Dalai Lama is in Britain until May 30 as part of a five-country tour, with talks on human rights and peace as well as meetings with lawmakers including Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Friday.
On Thursday hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the Royal Albert Hall, where he was to give his first public address since arriving in London.
Monks and nuns from the Western Shugden Society, whose worship of a deity was outlawed by the Dalai Lama since 1996, vyed with pro-Chinese protestors. In all there were more than 1,000 protestors, an AFP reporter at the scene said.
On the pro-Chinese side demonstrators held aloft banners proclaiming "The Dalai Lama is neither God nor King of Tibet," "No return to serfdom," and "Dalai Lama, stop lying."
In his BBC interview the Dalai Lama was asked whether the transparency shown by China in dealing with the earthquake gave him hope about the way Beijing might deal with Tibet in the future.
"It is an indication that China is changing, becoming more open, and I think the leadership gradually or cautiously moves onto more openness, more transparent," he said.
The Chinese government's handling of the earthquake and the openness of the media had been "transparent", he said, adding: "It is a wonderful, an encouraging sign."
The 8.0-magnitude earthquake which struck southwestern Sichuan province on May 12 has killed or left missing more than 74,000 people, according to the Chinese government, while 5.2 million people have been left homeless.
The Dalai Lama agreed that the West needed good economic ties with China as an emerging superpower.
"Their ambition is to become a superpower. It is deserved -- most populous nation and ancient nation," he said.
But he added: "In order to become a superpower, a respected superpower -- moral authority here now they are lacking. So the Tibetans are saying if you are real genuine close friend then make correction of your friend's mistakes!"
The Dalai Lama reiterated his call for the Beijing Olympic Games this August to be respected, along with the Olympic torch relay, which is due to pass through Tibet from June 19-21.
Appearing before the House of Commons foreign affairs committee, the Dalai Lama downplayed controversy over his meeting with the British leader on Friday, which is not being held in Downing Street.
But asked if Britain was doing enough to support Tibet, he replied: "I think not enough."
The monk was also to hold private talks with Prince Charles at the heir to the throne's Clarence House residence in London, where he was to plant a tree to mark his visit.
