Dalai Lama: Open Tibet

After two days of talks here about peace and love, the Dalai Lama on Sunday addressed a topic loaded with conflict and animosity: the relationship between Tibet and China.

The Tibetan Buddhist leader spoke at a news conference on everything from the recent riots in Tibet to protests against the Beijing Olympics to his succession.

He called on China to make Tibet completely open to foreign journalists and visitors, and said his representatives are conducting private talks with the Chinese.

It was the first time the Dalai Lama has spoken at length publicly about the situation in Tibet since he arrived in Seattle for a five-day gathering on compassion.

The Tibetan leader, who had committed to take part in the event long before riots erupted in Tibet last month, had originally not intended to address the topic at all while here. But he requested the news conference when "it became increasingly clear it would be difficult to avoid the subject," said spokesman Dan McConnell.

The March riots — the largest demonstrations against Chinese rule in two decades — began on the anniversary of a 1959 uprising against Chinese rule that resulted in the Dalai Lama fleeing Tibet.

The recent protests, started by monks, began peacefully but within days turned violent, with news accounts of Tibetans attacking Han Chinese.

The Chinese government cracked down, sending in armored carriers and thousands of troops, and detaining hundreds.

The riots left about 20 people dead and 600 wounded, according to the Chinese government, though the Tibetan government-in-exile says at least 140 people died, news accounts say.

Around the world, those in support of Tibet and those in support of China have held demonstrations.

The Chinese government has blamed the Dalai Lama and the "Dalai clique" for instigating the riots, and continues to call him a "splittist" who wants to separate Tibet from China.

The Dalai Lama has repeatedly denied those accusations and did so again Sunday. He said he prayed for those who had died — both Chinese and Tibetan — and that the situation has, at times, left him with a "strong feeling of helplessness. I can do nothing."

He reiterated his statement from a few weeks ago that if there is more violence on the part of a majority of Tibetans, he would resign as political leader.

He said he still believes his "middle way" is a good solution. The Dalai Lama is seeking what he has called genuine autonomy for Tibet to govern its own internal affairs, rather than full independence. And he has said he is open to talks with the Chinese government.

But he acknowledged some Tibetans have criticized him for his approach. Some Tibetans — especially younger ones — have said his stance is too conciliatory and has not reaped results.

He also disclosed that some of his representatives are engaged in "some efforts" through "private channels" with the Chinese. He said he himself had had no direct contact and declined to give details, saying "I don't want any speculation."

Tibet, though, he said, has no concessions to give.

"What more concessions can be given?" he asked. "What [is] left for concession?"

The Nobel laureate reiterated his support for Beijing's hosting of the Olympics, but he said it was up to individual heads of state to decide whether to attend the opening ceremonies.

Several leaders — including the prime ministers of Great Britain and Canada, the German chancellor and the secretary-general of the United Nations — have indicated, for whatever reason, that they would not attend the opening ceremonies. White House officials said last week that President Bush had not committed either way.

When asked if he himself would attend if he received an invitation, the Dalai Lama said, "I don't think I will get an invitation."

But if he did, he said, the most important consideration would be whether the situation in Tibet had improved, including the release of Tibetans detained after the riots and medical care for those injured. He also called for Tibet to be "open to the world," with visitors and media allowed to go there freely to "see the actual situation."

He said protesters along the Olympic torch relay route — which is scheduled to go through India and Tibet in the next few weeks — should be allowed to continue to express their views, provided the protests are nonviolent.

The Dalai Lama on Sunday also said he supported China's ambition to become a superpower, saying it has the size, military might and economic power to do so.

But, he said, China lacks moral authority, which he believes it needs to play a more important role worldwide.

A crucial question for Tibet is whether any resolution about its status can be reached before the Dalai Lama dies.

While young Tibetans may question his political approach, most Tibetans revere him. Some experts have wondered if the next Dalai Lama would have a similar stature on the world stage and sufficient sway over Tibetans who favor more militant tactics.

They've also wondered if the Chinese government might play a role in the selection of the next Dalai Lama. By Tibetan Buddhist tradition, lamas find the person they believe is the reincarnation of the previous Dalai Lama.

The current Dalai Lama has suggested, instead, that his successor could be elected, and has even questioned whether the institution of Dalai Lama is still needed politically.

He said Sunday there are several suggestions for succession plans and that at the end of April some lamas will gather, with that topic likely to come up.

The Dalai Lama said he saw no need to decide right away. "I think I'm physically OK," he said. "I think [in] 10, 20 years, then [consider]."

Janet I. Tu: 206-464-2272 or jtu@seattletimes.com