Dalai Lama backs Olympics, says violence outdated

Chisa Fujioka
Reuters
Thursday, April 10, 2008

The Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, said on Thursday he supports the Beijing Olympics and opposed violent protests that have disrupted the Olympic torch relay around the world.

"It is really deserving for the Chinese people to host the Olympic Games," he told reporters in Japan. "(Despite) the recent unfortunate event in Tibet, my position won't change."

But China's use of violence was an outdated way to suppress unrest in Tibet, he said during a brief stopover on his way to the United States for a two-week visit he said was not political.

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The Dalai Lama told reporters he had sent a message to Tibetans in San Francisco, where the torch relay was held on Wednesday.

"I sent a message to the Tibetans in San Francisco area, please don't make any violent actions," he said.

But he added: "Nobody has the right to say 'shut up'."

The torch was a magnet last week for chaotic demonstrations in London and Paris and the torch's only stop in North America turned into a game of hide-and-seek after the San Francisco route was abruptly changed by city officials.

Full article here.

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