NARITA, Japan, April 10 (Kyodo) - Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Thursday expressed his opposition to the violent protests by those opposing China's Tibet rule that have marred the Olympic torch relays in London, Paris and San Francisco.
''After some trouble in London, as well as (in) Paris, I sent a message to Tibetans in (the) San Francisco area, 'please don't make any violent sort of activity,''' although they can express their feelings, said the Dalai Lama, who was making a stopover in Japan before his visit to the United States.
The torch relay was held Wednesday local time in San Francisco, where the event was rerouted and cut short to avoid activists and demonstrators.
The Dalai Lama reiterated his support for the Beijing Olympics in August, following the recent waves of unrest in Tibet.
''Right from the beginning, I support (China hosting) the famous world game(s)'' because it is the most populated and ancient nation, he said at a press conference in Narita, near Tokyo.
''In spite of unfortunate event(s) in Tibet, my position won't change.
'' Asked if he would attend the Olympics' opening ceremony if invited, the Dalai Lama said, ''If things improve and (the) Chinese government starts to look realistically, I personally want to enjoy the big ceremony.
'' On recent developments in Tibet, he called for international organizations to visit there and find out what is really happening.
After March 10, hundreds were killed in different parts of Tibet and thousands were arrested, the Dalai Lama said.
China's ''official explanation sometimes seems (like) a lot of distorted information so that sometimes creates unnecessary misunderstanding,'' he said.
The Dalai Lama emphasized that he is not seeking independence from China in such area as defense and foreign affairs and denied being ''anti-Chinese,'' but said the Tibetan people are not given ''genuine'' autonomy regarding preservation of their culture and other things.
''Tibet should have full authority regarding preservation of Tibetan Buddhism, Tibetan culture, and education and environment,'' he said.
He said, ''Autonomy is just in name, not sincerely implemented,'' adding that the recent crisis in Tibet is an ''expression of (the Tibetan people's) deep-resentment.
'' ''Now (the) time has come (for the Chinese government) to accept the reality and try to find the solution according to the reality,'' the Dalai Lama said.
He arrived in Japan earlier in the day at Narita International Airport and separately met with former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's wife Akie and Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Seiichi Ota at a hotel near the airport.
After a 30-minute meeting, Ota told reporters he was told by the Dalai Lama that he is seeking Japanese humanitarian and nonpolitical medical support for the Tibetan people.
The Dalai Lama also said demonstrations had been staged in many more cities than the announcement of the Chinese government and that many people suffered injuries, according to Ota. In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda expressed hope that the torch relay in Japan would be nonviolent, following demonstrations that caused disruptions of the relay in other cities.
''An act of violence is not desirable for the Olympic torch relay that is intended for everyone in the world to enjoy,'' he told reporters. (Kyodo)
Today In Asia : Last Update : 20:59:55 10 April 2008 (GMT+7:00)
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