China slams Dalai Lama over protests

Beijing: China's Premier Wen Jiabao has accused Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama of instigating recent violent protests, saying his calls for peace are “nothing but lies.''

He defended China's crackdown on violent protests that have left dozens dead.

"There is ample fact and plenty of evidence proving this incident was organised, premeditated, masterminded and incited by the Dalai clique," Wen told a news conference.

"This has all the more revealed the consistent claims by the Dalai clique that they pursue not independence but peaceful dialogue are nothing but lies."

Monk-led pro-independence protests – the biggest in almost two decades – erupted in the Tibet's regional capital, Lhasa, last Monday and have spilled into nearby Chinese provinces populated by Tibetans. The Tibetan government in exile have said at least 80 protesters died as a result of the clashes.

The incident is weighing uncomfortably on China, which is anxious to polish its image in the build-up to the Beijing Olympic Games in August.

The Chinese leaders are correct to say that the Dalai Lama is instigating violence. Instead of urging his people to embrace their country and development, he calls for "peaceful resistance". Yes, we have seen your peaceful resistance Mr.Lama, and it is ugly.
Yousuf
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: March 18, 2008, 14:40

It is time for China to understand that it cannot control the minds of the Tibetan people by force. Enlightened Chinese individuals should now join hands with the Tibetans in order to persuade the Chinese forces to leave the country before it is too late, as the whole world is now turning against the Chinese people.
M.H.
Nicosia,Cyprus
Posted: March 18, 2008, 13:34

Free Tibet from China. I love the Dalai Lama. He is fighting for Tibet's freedom struggle in a peaceful manner. He is a real hero in today?s world.
Suren
Karama,UAE
Posted: March 18, 2008, 13:24

The Chinese leadership has ruthlessly persecuted innocent monks in Tibet whom they brand as "terrorists". China itself violated the sovereign territory of Tibet in 1950 and India's territory in 1962 when they crossed the McMahon line. China has always shown its aggressive stance towards its neighbours. I support the Tibetan uprising against China.
Akshay
Fujairah,UAE
Posted: March 18, 2008, 11:28