His Holiness Calls on Italy to Support Autonomy for Tibet

Friday, 14 December 2007, 2:57 p.m.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, waves as he arrives in Rome's Capitol Hill, Thursday, 13 December 2007/AFP

Rome: His Holiness the Dalai Lama, during his 10-day visit to Italy on Thursday met Italian lawmakers and thanked them for supporting religious freedom in Tibet.

His Holiness had been invited by the speaker of Italy's Parliament to address the lawmakers at the Montecitorio parliament building in Rome.

The lawmakers - most of them members of the 280 member bipartisan "For Tibet" group - Bertinotti and Italy's Foreign Affairs Undersecretary, Gianni Vernetti, the most senior government official present, warmly applauded His Holiness.

Reiterating that he is not advocating independence for Tibet, His Holiness said his was a campaign for Tibet's autonomy and religious freedom for its people.

His Holiness (right), gestures as Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni, left, looks on during the annual summit of Nobel Peace Prize winners in Rome on 13 December 2007

Tracing the recent history of negotiations with China's Communist government, His Holiness said that five meetings held since 2001 had made "great progress".

However, a sixth meeting held in June-July had witnessed a hardening of China's attitude with Beijing officials subsequently claiming:"There is no Tibetan issue," His Holiness said.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Vernetti, speaking to reporters after His Holiness' speech, said he had met the Buddhist leader on behalf of Prime Minister Romano Prodi's government.

"I was again struck by the great balance and moderation of Dalai Lama's attitude towards China," Vernetti said.

"He again said he is not seeking full independence for Tibet but greater autonomy achieved through open dialogue," said Vernetti, adding that His Holiness could count on Italy's support.

On Thursday, His Holiness addressed a summit of Nobel Peace Prize winners organized by Rome's city hall and a foundation headed by former Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev.

In his address, His Holiness stressed the need for "human compassion".

"Things will not change with just a few nice words," His Holiness said. "But things to change depend on our action."

"So think more about others' well-being and you get maximum benefit," His Holiness added.

--dpa

  (www.tibet.net is the official website of the Central Tibetan Administration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.)

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