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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Dalai Lama sees change in China | Dalai Lama sees change in China |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Dalai Lama has told the BBC he believes China is changing and that this could lead to a "more transparent" attitude over Tibet. | The Dalai Lama has told the BBC he believes China is changing and that this could lead to a "more transparent" attitude over Tibet. |
| In an interview with the Radio 4 Today Programme he said China's reaction to the devastating earthquake in Sichuan province was one sign of change. | In an interview with the Radio 4 Today Programme he said China's reaction to the devastating earthquake in Sichuan province was one sign of change. |
| Tibet's spiritual leader said he wanted a "middle way" of autonomy, despite calls for independence among Tibetans. | Tibet's spiritual leader said he wanted a "middle way" of autonomy, despite calls for independence among Tibetans. |
| But he warned of growing frustration if there was "no improvement" in Tibet. | But he warned of growing frustration if there was "no improvement" in Tibet. |
| 'Wider contact' | 'Wider contact' |
| Speaking during a 10-day visit to London the Dalai Lama said he was "quite optimistic" about the future. | Speaking during a 10-day visit to London the Dalai Lama said he was "quite optimistic" about the future. |
| China was changing through "wider contact with outside world," he said. | China was changing through "wider contact with outside world," he said. |
| He cited China's efforts to deal with the recent earthquake that left tens of thousands of people dead in Sichuan province as evidence. | He cited China's efforts to deal with the recent earthquake that left tens of thousands of people dead in Sichuan province as evidence. |
| "This I think (is) one sign that the People's Republic of China is changing, I think at least decade by decade," he said. | "This I think (is) one sign that the People's Republic of China is changing, I think at least decade by decade," he said. |
| "Hopefully now (this will) lead to a more transparent attitude in other fields, including the Tibet case." | "Hopefully now (this will) lead to a more transparent attitude in other fields, including the Tibet case." |
| The Chinese government has accused the Dalai Lama of being behind anti-China protests that began in Tibet's main city, Lhasa, on 10 March, and escalated into deadly rioting. | The Chinese government has accused the Dalai Lama of being behind anti-China protests that began in Tibet's main city, Lhasa, on 10 March, and escalated into deadly rioting. |
| Not only outside but even inside there are people who really are very critical about our approach, but so far OK, I think we can manage with these people Dalai Lama class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7392519.stm">Tibet: 7 Questions 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: Tibetans' view The Dalai Lama denies inciting any protests. | |
| He has said regularly he is not seeking independence from China. | He has said regularly he is not seeking independence from China. |
| ''We are not seeking separation," he told the BBC, adding that it was in the interests of both China and Tibet to stay together. | ''We are not seeking separation," he told the BBC, adding that it was in the interests of both China and Tibet to stay together. |
| "Tibetan Buddhist culture can be a great contribution to enrich (the) cultural heritage of People's Republic of China," he said. | "Tibetan Buddhist culture can be a great contribution to enrich (the) cultural heritage of People's Republic of China," he said. |
| ''Sooner or later we'll have to talk with China's government so the question of independence or separation is out of the question." | ''Sooner or later we'll have to talk with China's government so the question of independence or separation is out of the question." |
| 'Middle way' | 'Middle way' |
| Asked about opposition among followers who might favour taking a stronger line with China, he said different views and criticism were "welcome". | Asked about opposition among followers who might favour taking a stronger line with China, he said different views and criticism were "welcome". |
| "On the question of autonomy we are committed to the middle way," he said. | "On the question of autonomy we are committed to the middle way," he said. |
| "Defence and foreign affairs should (be governed by) the central government; but the rest of the business - education, environment, religious work - all these should be handled by Tibetans themselves. | "Defence and foreign affairs should (be governed by) the central government; but the rest of the business - education, environment, religious work - all these should be handled by Tibetans themselves. |
| "That is real, meaningful autonomy." | "That is real, meaningful autonomy." |
| He acknowledged that there was internal opposition. | He acknowledged that there was internal opposition. |
| "Not only outside but even inside there are people who really are very critical about our approach, but so far OK, I think we can manage with these people," he said. | "Not only outside but even inside there are people who really are very critical about our approach, but so far OK, I think we can manage with these people," he said. |
| "But the longer time no improvement inside Tibet and ruthless suppression continue, then more frustration, then this view can increase." | "But the longer time no improvement inside Tibet and ruthless suppression continue, then more frustration, then this view can increase." |