By Tenzin Sangmo
New Delhi, June 12 – The Dalai Lama during his five day visit to Australia said he does not expect any unpleasant incident when the Olympic torch passes through Lhasa, Tibet next week.
“We have fully supported the Olympic Games right from the beginning and the torch is part of that. Over one billion Chinese brothers and sisters feel really proud of that. We should respect that. So, I don’t think there will be any trouble,” The Australian quoted him saying earlier today.
The international leg of the torch relay through six continents became the objective of pro-Tibet and pro-independence protests ever since it was lit at the birthplace of the Olympic Games in Olympia, Greece March 24. The torch currently making its way through China is scheduled to run until August 8 where it will officially launch the 2008 Olympic Games.
His Holiness has met with federal Opposition leader Brendan Nelson and will also have talks with key government officials later in the week.
After his arrival in Sydney on Wednesday he reiterated his desire for a significant dialogue with the Chinese government which he hoped will resume in July. Chinese officials had met with representatives of the Dalai Lama on May 4 but additional talks slated to commence the following week was postponed after a disastrous earthquake hit Sichuan, China on May 12 leaving 69,146 dead, 374,131 injured and 17,516 listed as missing (official figures as of June 11, 2008)
“Tibetans retained their unhappiness at the Chinese pressure on their culture and religion. Generations change, but the resentment remains, from parent, to children, to grandchildren,” he said.
Meanwhile, Australian PM Rudd in face of criticism from human rights advocates on failure to meet with His Holiness said he would have ‘absolutely’ met with the exiled Spiritual leader had he been in Australia.
“I’ve met the Dalai Lama many times before. There’s nothing remarkable in this. I understand the acting prime minister and the foreign minister will (ensure) the Dalai Lama greeted with appropriate respect as a major religious leader in the world,” he was quoted as saying by the Australian Associated Press.
