Dalai Lama asks Tibetan officials in China to visit exiles (Roundup)

Mar 10, 2010, 8:47 GMT

New Delhi - Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Wednesday invited Tibetan officials serving in China to visit exiled communities, the better to understand the extent of their political aspirations.

Neither he nor members of the Tibetan administration in exile intended to hold political or government posts once Tibet achieved 'meaningful autonomy,' the spiritual leader told a crowd in the northern Indian hill town of Dharamsala to mark the 51st anniversary of a Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule.

'To understand the situation of the Tibetans in exile and their aspirations, I invite Tibetan officials serving in various Tibetan autonomous areas to visit Tibetan communities living in the free world, either officially or in a private capacity, to observe the situation for themselves,' he said.

The Dalai Lama, who lives in exile in India along with a large number of Tibetans, alleged that Chinese authorities' policies in Tibet were intended to annihilate Buddhism.

Exile had allowed Tibetan communities abroad to preserve much of their culture, traditions and religion, he said.

The Dalai Lama has repeatedly said he is not seeking independence but greater autonomy for Tibet within China.

The huge military presence and restriction of travel in Tibet was evidence that there was a serious problem in Tibet whether China recognised it or not, the Dalai Lama said.

'It is good for neither party. We have to take every opportunity to solve it,' he said.

Representatives of the Dalai Lama, who fled to India soon after the uprising against Chinese occupation in Tibet in March 1959, have held several rounds of unsuccessful talks with Beijing.

'Judging by the attitude of the present Chinese leadership, there is little hope that a result will be achieved soon,' he said. 'Nevertheless, our stand to continue with the dialogue remains unchanged.

'There will be a time when truth will prevail. Therefore, it is important that everyone be patient and not give up.'

The Tibetan spiritual leader also expressed solidarity with the people of East Turkestan, who he said faced increasing oppression, and Chinese intellectuals campaigning for greater freedom.

'It is also essential that the 1.3 billion Chinese people have free access to information about their own country and elsewhere, as well as freedom of expression and the rule of law,' he said.

The Dharamsala gathering included a group of Chinese journalists, academics and democracy activists, members of the European Union's Social and Economic Committee and individuals from the Russian Buddhist republic of Kalmykia, Japan, Germany and other countries.

Large numbers of Tibetan refugees, including flag-waving schoolchildren, were present at the ceremony to mark the day.

At least 111,170 Tibetans live in exile, according to a survey done by the government-in-exile, which is not recognised by any country. Of those, more than 100,000 live in 35 settlements in India.

Security was tightened around the Chinese embassy in New Delhi on Wednesday.

At least 30 Tibetan activists were detained Tuesday when they tried to storm the embassy building.