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End Tibet unrest, says Dalai Lama Dalai Lama urges end to violence
(about 5 hours later)
The Dalai Lama has called for an end to violent protests in Tibet, denying claims by China that he was responsible for the unrest. The Dalai Lama has called for an end to the violence in Tibet and rejected accusations by China that he was responsible for the recent unrest.
He said he would resign as head of Tibet's government-in-exile if the violence in his homeland worsened. The exiled spiritual leader said Tibetans needed to live side-by-side with Chinese people.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao earlier accused the Dalai Lama of masterminding the protests against Chinese rule.
China says 13 people were killed by rioters in Lhasa. Tibetan exiles say 99 have died in clashes with authorities.China says 13 people were killed by rioters in Lhasa. Tibetan exiles say 99 have died in clashes with authorities.
Tibetan activists have released images they say support their claim of heavy casualties and Chinese brutality.
They say the pictures depict protesters killed by Chinese security forces at Kirti Monastery in Sichuan province on Sunday - but the BBC is unable to verify these claims.
A representative of the Chinese embassy in London, Yu Jing, said it was "hard to judge from the pictures" but that if they were accurate, there would be an explanation.
Tibetan activists say Chinese troops shot indiscriminately
(Warning: Graphic content)In pictures
She said some reports suggested the local police station and police officers had been attacked, and that Chinese officials were looking into the claims.
On Tuesday, a spokesman for the government in exile said 19 people had been shot by Chinese police during ongoing protests by ethnic Tibetans in Gansu province.
There have been reports of unrest in other areas and of whole towns being been sealed off by the authorities.
The protests began on 10 March - the anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule - and have gradually escalated.The protests began on 10 March - the anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule - and have gradually escalated.
'Sabotage''Sabotage'
The Dalai Lama spoke in Dharamsala in northern India, where his Free Tibet Movement is based, to reject accusations by Mr Wen of orchestrating the violence. The Dalai Lama spoke in Dharamsala in northern India, where his Free Tibet Movement is based, to reject accusations by Mr Wen of orchestrating the violence in Tibet.
There is ample fact and plenty of evidence proving this incident was organised by the Dalai clique Wen Jiabao href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/nol/newsid_7300000/newsid_7302000?redirect=7302059.stm&news=1&bbram=1&nbwm=1&bbwm=1&nbram=1&asb=1" onClick="javascript:newsi.utils.av.launch({el:this});return false;">Mr Wen's speech There is ample fact and plenty of evidence proving this incident was organised by the Dalai clique Wen Jiabao class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7302625.stm">Crackdown on the news class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7302956.stm">Lama's birthplace blocked
"Violence is against human nature," the Dalai Lama, 72, said. "We should not develop anti-Chinese feelings. We must live together side by side." "Violence is against human nature," the Dalai Lama said. "We must not develop anti-Chinese feelings. Whether we like it or not we have to live side-by-side."
The Dalai Lama, who in 1989 was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his consistent opposition to the use of violence, said that even if "1,000 Tibetans sacrificed their life", this would be "not much help" . The 72-year-old, who in 1989 was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his consistent opposition to the use of violence, said that even if "1,000 Tibetans sacrificed their life", this would be "not much help".
He added: "If things are getting out of control, then the option is to completely resign [as political head]," he said. He reaffirmed that he wanted autonomy for Tibet within China, but not outright independence.
A spokesman for the government-in-exile later stressed there was no question of the Dalai Lama stepping down as the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people. When asked if he might step down as political figurehead if the violence spiralled out of control, the Dalai Lama said the same question had been put to him during the 1987 uprising:
The Dalai Lama reaffirmed that he wanted autonomy for Tibet within China, but not outright independence, which he said was "out of the question". "If things are getting out of control, then the option is to completely resign," he said.
He also denied Chinese accusations that he instigated the violence. Clarifying his remarks, his secretary, Chime Chhoekyapa, told the BBC stressed that there had been no indication that Tibetans were taking up arms and that therefore there was no likelihood of the Dalai Lama stepping down in the current situation.
class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7302319.stm">Accounts from Tibet class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7301590.stm">Your pictures: Machu protests class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4459&edition=1">Send us your comments At the news conference, the Dalai Lama also rejected Chinese accusations that he has personally instigated the protests in Tibet, and repeated his call for an international inquiry into why they took place.
"Investigate thoroughly," he said. "If you want to start investigating from here you are most welcome. Check our various offices." class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7302506.stm">In pictures: Exiles rally class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7299221.stm">Q&A: China and Tibet
"If you want to start investigating from here you are most welcome," he said. "Check our various offices."
Earlier, Mr Wen said the Dalai Lama's claim of "cultural genocide" in Tibet was "nothing but lies".Earlier, Mr Wen said the Dalai Lama's claim of "cultural genocide" in Tibet was "nothing but lies".
Mr Wen's comments - his first since the violence broke out - came in response to a question by a Western journalist at a news conference following the close of China's parliament.Mr Wen's comments - his first since the violence broke out - came in response to a question by a Western journalist at a news conference following the close of China's parliament.
Mr Wen defended China's handling of the violence, accusing protesters of robbery, arson and violence. Mr Wen defended China's handling of the crisis, accusing protesters of robbery, arson and violence.
"There is ample fact and plenty of evidence proving this incident was organised, premeditated, masterminded and incited by the Dalai clique," he said."There is ample fact and plenty of evidence proving this incident was organised, premeditated, masterminded and incited by the Dalai clique," he said.
Mr Wen also said the protesters "wanted to incite the sabotage of the Olympic Games in order to achieve their unspeakable goal". The Games begin in China on 8 August.Mr Wen also said the protesters "wanted to incite the sabotage of the Olympic Games in order to achieve their unspeakable goal". The Games begin in China on 8 August.
ConvoysConvoys
Large numbers of police are patrolling the streets of Lhasa.Large numbers of police are patrolling the streets of Lhasa.
A Chinese deadline for protesters to surrender passed on Monday and there is no immediate word on the military's actions.A Chinese deadline for protesters to surrender passed on Monday and there is no immediate word on the military's actions.
TIBET DIVIDE China says Tibet was always part of its territoryTibet enjoyed long periods of autonomy before 20th century1950: China launched a military assaultOpposition to Chinese rule led to a bloody uprising in 1959Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama fled to India href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7299221.stm">Q&A: China and Tibet href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7302506.stm">In pictures: Exiles rally class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7299410.stm">Tibet adds to Olympic woes TIBET DIVIDE China says Tibet was always part of its territoryTibet enjoyed long periods of autonomy before 20th century1950: China launched a military assaultOpposition to Chinese rule led to a bloody uprising in 1959Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama fled to India href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7302319.stm">Accounts from Tibet href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4459&edition=1">Send us your comments class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7299410.stm">Tibet adds to Olympic woes
However, the BBC has received reports from Lhasa of the Chinese authorities conducting house-to-house searches and arresting suspected Tibetan protesters.However, the BBC has received reports from Lhasa of the Chinese authorities conducting house-to-house searches and arresting suspected Tibetan protesters.
The BBC's Daniel Griffiths, who is in western China, said he had seen long convoys of military vehicles heading across the mountains into Tibet.The BBC's Daniel Griffiths, who is in western China, said he had seen long convoys of military vehicles heading across the mountains into Tibet.
There are unconfirmed reports of troops sealing off towns. Demonstrations have spread to Tibetan communities in the provinces of Sichuan and Gansu, where a spokesman for the government in exile said 19 protesters had been killed.
Demonstrations have spread to Tibetan communities in Gansu and Sichuan provinces. "There was a protest in Machu this morning, and police fired on them," Thubten Samphel told the AFP news agency.
Police have also stopped BBC journalists from entering the village in which the Dalai Lama was born in north-eastern Tibet.Police have also stopped BBC journalists from entering the village in which the Dalai Lama was born in north-eastern Tibet.
Tourists flying into Nepal from Lhasa have been giving vivid accounts of the violence.Tourists flying into Nepal from Lhasa have been giving vivid accounts of the violence.
Swiss tourist, Claud Balsiger, 25, said protesters had told him they were seeking the release of monks, and things "went insane" last Friday after rumours they had been killed. Swiss tourist, Claude Balsiger, 25, said protesters had told him they were seeking the release of monks, and things "went insane" last Friday after rumours they had been killed.
He said everything that looked Chinese had been attacked or beaten up.He said everything that looked Chinese had been attacked or beaten up.
Mr Balsiger also said he had spoken to a Tibetan woman who had lost four family members.Mr Balsiger also said he had spoken to a Tibetan woman who had lost four family members.
China says Tibet has always been part of its territory but Tibet enjoyed long periods of autonomy before the 20th Century and many Tibetans remain loyal to the Dalai Lama, who fled in 1959.China says Tibet has always been part of its territory but Tibet enjoyed long periods of autonomy before the 20th Century and many Tibetans remain loyal to the Dalai Lama, who fled in 1959.
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