BRIEF: Dalai Lama and China to Meet over Torch Protests, Tibet

Dalai Lama - International Herald Tribune

BEIJING, China – The Dalai Lama and Chinese officials have planned talks to discuss the controversies surrounding Tibet and the protests although Chinese President Hu Jintao has continued to criticize the Tibetan spiritual leader.

President Hu Jintao, speaking at a news conference with the Japanese Prime Minister, said that he wanted the Dalai Lama to stop trying to divide China, incite violence, and harm the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing. He told reporters, “We hope that the Dalai will express his sincerity through his acts. 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.”

In response to the criticisms, the Dalai Lama has expressed reservations about the effectiveness of the up and coming talks. He said, “These are helpful to maintain trust, clear misunderstanding.” In response to questions that China is holding the talks in bad faith, intending only to quell international disapproval, the Tibetan spiritual leader said, “Too early to say.”

For more information, please see: 

AP – China Warns Dalai Lama Not to Obstruct Beijing Games – 7 May 2008

International Herald Tribune – Dalai Lama Looking Forward to Talks with China, with Reservations – 12 May 2008

Comments

[Jones]

I am wondering how many people know what kind person Dalai Lama really is and was? One can hardly find any credible information these days about old cruel Tibet or slave master like him before, the history reality. Main stream media usually skip or are very brief about this. He may appear to be a "nice" person, talking about freedom and human rights but numerous articles proved otherwise historically. Yes, human can change, but would one let his young daughter under care of a convicted sex offender because one believes he has changed?

Have people checked with Tibetan or Chinese from mainland, Hongkong, or even Taiwan how not popular Dalai Lama is and how laughable his motive is? Most people may have kind heart to wish for the best of other people but many of them do not know the fact that they are hurting more people by supporting Dalai Lama without some solid reasons.