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Dalai Lama will quit if violence worsens
The Dalai Lama has threatened to step down if recent violent protests in Tibet's capital spiral out of control.
- Agencies
- Published: 14:36 March 18, 2008
- Image Credit: AP
- Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama gestures during a press meeting in Dharamsala, India.
Beijing: The Dalai Lama has threatened to step down if recent violent protests in Tibet's capital spiral out of control.
"If things become out of control then my only option is to completely resign," Tibet's exiled spiritual leader told a news conference at his base of Dharamsala.
Later, Tenzin Takhla, a top aide said: ''If the Tibetans were to choose the path of violence he would have to resign because he is completely committed to non-violence. He would resign as the political leader and head of state, but not as the Dalai Lama. He will always be the Dalai Lama.''
The Dalai Lama, who fled into exile in India in 1959, also denied Chinese accusations he was inciting the rioting.
Premier Wen Jiabao's remarks were the highest-level response to last week's increasingly violent demonstrations in Lhasa.
"Investigate throughly, so if you want to start investigating from here you are most welcome," he said. "Check our various offices…They can examine my pulse, my urine, my stool, everything."
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