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Dalai Lama thanks PM for support Dalai Lama urges Olympics respect
(about 1 hour later)
The Dalai Lama, the leader of Tibet's government-in-exile, says his UK visit is non-political. The Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, has appealed for Tibetans not to protest during the Olympic Torch visit to the region.
Gordon Brown has been criticised for not inviting the spiritual leader to No 10. He will meet him at Lambeth Palace with the Archbishop of Canterbury. Pro-Tibet protests had erupted at many sites along the torch's worldwide tour ahead of the August Games in Beijing.
The Dalai Lama said he will express "my appreciation that the prime minister is showing genuine concern for Tibet". Speaking in London, the leader of Tibet's government-in-exile said he was fully supportive of the Games and therefore the torch.
Ex-Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell said the PM wanted it both ways, "to see him and not offend the Chinese". He is on a 10-day visit to London, which has provoked some controversy.
A Downing Street spokesman said the prime minister would hold a one-on-one meeting with the Dalai Lama during his 10-day visit. 'Wants it both ways'
Media role The torch is due to visit Lhasa on 20-21 June.
After his speech to members of both Houses of Parliament, the Dalai Lama told a press conference: "Basically my visit is non-political. The media politicises. After incidents in London and Paris in which pro-Tibetan protesters attempted to disrupt the torch's progress, the Dalai Lama said he had appealed to Tibetans in San Francisco - the following stop - not to disrupt the visit.
There is no reason why he should not be received at Number 10 Sir Menzies Campbell The Tibet issue: China's viewThe Tibet issue: Tibetan view
And he said: "I appeal particularly to inside Tibet to not disturb...the torch when they visit.
"I made clear right from the beginning we fully support Olympic Games. The Olympic Torch is part of that. We must respect, we must protect that."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been criticised for not inviting the Dalai Lama to Downing Street when he meets him on Friday.
He will meet him instead at Lambeth Palace, with the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Critics have said that the UK government is attempting to appease Beijing by emphasising the Dalai Lama's spiritual rather than his political role.
Ex-Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "Treating the Dalai Lama as only a religious leader simply ignores the reality.
"There is no reason why he should not be received at No 10."
The PM wanted it both ways, "to see him and not offend the Chinese", he said.
The Dalai Lama is also due to meet Conservative leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg.
Human rights
The Dalai Lama earlier said that his UK visit was "non-political".
After a speech to members of both Houses of Parliament, he told a press conference: "Basically my visit is non-political. The media politicises.
"Of course, during our meeting I [will] express my appreciation that the prime minister is showing genuine concern for Tibet - so I want to express my thanks.""Of course, during our meeting I [will] express my appreciation that the prime minister is showing genuine concern for Tibet - so I want to express my thanks."
He said it was then up to Mr Brown what he asked him about.
Mr Brown's spokesman told reporters at a regular daily briefing: "As far as we are concerned, the issue here is the substance of the meeting and the fact that the meeting is taking place at all.Mr Brown's spokesman told reporters at a regular daily briefing: "As far as we are concerned, the issue here is the substance of the meeting and the fact that the meeting is taking place at all.
"On the previous two occasions the Dalai Lama came to the UK, he didn't meet the then-prime minister at all.""On the previous two occasions the Dalai Lama came to the UK, he didn't meet the then-prime minister at all."
Mr Brown will raise the issue of Tibetan human rights in China during the private meeting on Friday, it is understood. Mr Brown will raise the issue of Tibetan human rights in China during the private meeting, it is understood.
There is no reason why he should not be received at Number 10 Sir Menzies Campbell class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7410745.stm">The Tibet issue: China's view class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7411011.stm">The Tibet issue: Tibetan view The Dalai Lama is expected to make a speech at the Albert Hall on Thursday. Demonstrators are expected to target this, as well as his meeting with Mr Brown.
Critics have said that the government is attempting to appease Beijing by emphasising the Dalai Lama's spiritual rather than his political role.
Sir Menzies added: "Treating the Dalai Lama as only a religious leader simply ignores the reality.
"There is no reason why he should not be received at No 10."
Demonstrators are expected to target his speech at the Albert Hall on Thursday as well as his meeting with Mr Brown.
The Dalai Lama will also give evidence on human rights to a parliamentary committee during his trip.
He is also due to meet Conservative leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg.
On Tuesday he received an honorary doctorate from London Metropolitan University.
Long-standing disputeLong-standing dispute
During an address, the Dalai Lama criticised China's "one-sided" education system in Tibet, but otherwise largely avoided politics.
The visit, and particularly questions over where and whether he should meet Mr Brown, has proved controversial.
Sir Menzies Campbell discusses the Dalai Lama's visit
China and Tibet have long disagreed over the status of Tibet, and China sent troops into the region to enforce a territorial claim in 1950.China and Tibet have long disagreed over the status of Tibet, and China sent troops into the region to enforce a territorial claim in 1950.
Sir Menzies Campbell discusses the Dalai Lama's visit
Anti-China protests led by Buddhist monks began in the capital Lhasa on 10 March this year and gradually escalated into rioting.Anti-China protests led by Buddhist monks began in the capital Lhasa on 10 March this year and gradually escalated into rioting.
The demonstrations took place after the anniversary of the 1959 uprising and ahead of the Olympic Games in Beijing this summer.
China says at least 19 people were killed by the rioters, but Tibetan exiles say dozens of people were killed by the Chinese security forces as they moved to quell the unrest.China says at least 19 people were killed by the rioters, but Tibetan exiles say dozens of people were killed by the Chinese security forces as they moved to quell the unrest.
Beijing says the Dalai Lama incited the violence, which he denies and accuses the Chinese government of human rights abuses. Beijing says the Dalai Lama incited the violence, which he denies. He accuses the Chinese government of human rights abuses.
Asked on Wednesday if the recent massive earthquake in China - which has killed more than 40,000 people and left 5 million homeless - had overshadowed the Tibet-China tension, the Dalai Lama said worldwide response as well as the Chinese government's response was "very encouraging".
China says Tibet has officially been part of the Chinese nation since the mid-13th Century and so should continue to be ruled by Beijing.China says Tibet has officially been part of the Chinese nation since the mid-13th Century and so should continue to be ruled by Beijing.
Many Tibetans disagree, pointing out that the Himalayan region was an independent kingdom for many centuries, and that Chinese rule over Tibet has not been constant.Many Tibetans disagree, pointing out that the Himalayan region was an independent kingdom for many centuries, and that Chinese rule over Tibet has not been constant.