Respect Olympic torch, His Holiness the Dalai Lama tells Tibetans
Thursday, 22 May 2008, 11:03 a.m.
 His Holiness the Dalai Lama receiving an honorary degree at London Metropolitan University on 21 May 2008. (Shaun Curry/AFP/Getty Images) |
London: His Holiness the Dalai Lama has appealed to Tibetans not to disrupt the Olympic torch relay when it passes through Tibet on its way to Beijing, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.
The torch is due to visit Tibet on 19 June, heading to Shanna Diqu before passing through Lhasa on June 20-21 June.
“I made clear, right from the beginning, we fully support the Olympic Games and the Olympic torch,” the Tibetan spiritual leader told reporters.
“I appeal, particularly inside Tibet, (people) should not disrupt the Olympic torch when they visit. We must respect, we must protect that.”
On the possibility of attending the Olympics, His Holiness said: “It very much depends on our meeting. If the situation in Tibet and some kind of long-term solution happens, then I am happy to go there — if the invitation comes,” His Holiness added.
His Holiness even said he would be prepared to go to the Games in the Chinese capital in August, if talks went well between his representatives and Beijing on greater Tibetan autonomy.
His Holiness, who arrived Tuesday, 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.
His Holiness said he would thank Brown for the “genuine concern” he had shown over Tibet, adding it would be wrong to isolate China and Britain should instead criticise Beijing “as a friend”.
“I was always against the isolation of China. Not good. China is a very important nation we must respect,” His Holiness said.
“As Tibetans say, if you are a true friend, a close friend, then it is important to make clear the wrong things about your friend in a friendly manner,” His Holiness said.
–AFP
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