His Holiness the Dalai Lama Calls for Smooth Olympic Torch Relay

Thursday, 12 June 2008, 11:18 a.m.

“Generations change, but the resentment remains” … His Holiness the Dalai Lama blesses monks afer arriving in Sydney yesterday/Photo: Kate Geraghty/FairfaxDigital

Dharamshala: His Holiness the
Dalai Lama on Thursday appealed to Tibetans in and outside Tibet not to
disturb the Olympic torch relay when it passes through the capital
Lhasa, saying he fully supports the Beijing games, Agence France Presse
reported.

“We have fully supported the Olympic Games right from the
beginning,” His Holiness told journalists at a media conference called
at Sydney Olympic Park where he is giving five days of teachings on
meditation.

“The torch is part of that,” His Holiness said. “Over 1 billion
Chinese brothers and sisters feel really proud of that. We should
respect that. I don’t think there will be any trouble.”

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who is on a five-day visit to
Australia, has met with federal Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson and
will have talks with federal government ministers later this week.

On Wednesday after arriving in Sydney, His Holiness expressed
his hopes of a breakthrough in negotiations with China that could allow
him return to Tibet.

His Holiness said he expected formal talks between his envoys
and the Chinese to resume by the end of the month or in early July.

“President Hu Jintao very much emphasises … harmonious
society. We fully support that. It is wonderful to have stability and
unity. Stability and unity must come from heart not gun,” His Holiness
added.

“Tibetans retained their unhappiness at the Chinese pressure on
their culture and religion. Generations change, but the resentment
remains, from parent, to children, to grandchildren,” His Holiness
said, adding “Now I think the Chinese Government begins to feel
something goes wrong, in spite of putting lots of money, billions of
yuan [into developing Tibet].”