China Warns Dalai Lama on Olympics

By Eric Talmadge - Associated Press
Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - Web Link
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May 7, 2008

Chinese President Hu Jintao vowed on Wednesday to continue a recently begun dialogue with the Dalai Lama, though he offered veiled accusations the Tibetan spiritual leader is causing more problems than he is solving.

Hu, speaking at a news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, demanded the Dalai Lama stop trying to divide China, incite violence and harm the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing.

"We hope that the Dalai will express his sincerity through his acts," Hu said sternly. "We hope the Dalai will stop acting to separate the homeland, stop orchestrating the inciting of violent acts and stop undermining the Beijing Olympics, so as to create the conditions for further discussions. We hope that the contacts will have a positive result."

The Dalai Lama has denied these accusations, which China makes repeatedly, saying he seeks only autonomy for Tibet, not independence. He has also denied any involvement in March protests in the region that turned violent.

Representatives of the exiled Tibetan government met with Chinese officials earlier this month for the first time since 2006. The talks were prompted by the recent unrest in Tibet, which China has governed since the 1950s.

China says 22 people died during anti-government riots in Tibet's capital of Lhasa in March, while overseas Tibet supporters say many times that number died in protests and a subsequent crackdown.

China's response to the demonstrations has sparked an international outcry and drawn attention to its rule of the Himalayan region — and its larger human rights record — just as it takes center stage in the run up to the Beijing Games. The Olympic torch relay's international tour drew protests on many stops.