McLeodganj, March 16
The Dalai Lama today reiterated that he was only demanding autonomy for Tibet, and not separation from China. “We support building a harmonious society on the basis of mutual trust and a meaningful autonomy safeguarding local culture and environment,” he said.

He was addressing mediapersons at the main temple complex here.

Demanding a probe by an international agency into the current unrest and violence in Tibet, he has called upon the Tibetan community living in his homeland not to resort to violent activities.

He denied Chinese allegations that he was behind violence in Tibet. He said it was the result of anguish and frustration simmering in the hearts of the Tibetans for the past many years that was fuelled by the Chinese authorities.

He expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in Tibet and hoped the problem would be peacefully resolved with the intervention of the international community.

When asked about whether he supported the ongoing protests in Tibet, he said he was wholeheartedly with the people of his homeland, provided they did not get involved in violent activities. “I can’t dictate people’s movement in a democratic society and being a servant of the people, I wholeheartedly stand by their cause”, he said.

He said the things now seemed to have worsened and the command had come into the hands of the masses and it was up to them to decide their course of action. “I am already in a semi-retirement position and my advice is not always acceptable to them,” he added.

When asked about whether the Chinese crackdown on Tibetan protesters would hamper the peace process, he called on Prof Samdong Rinpoche, Prime Minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile, to answer the question. He said, “The present crisis is definitely a setback to the peace talks.”

On the issue of Monday’s deadline to the protesting Tibetans to surrender, the Dalai Lama said he was in a helpless situation. “I can only appeal to the international community to intervene into the issue and persuade China for a peaceful way out to save protesters from the atrocities of the Chinese authorities,” he said.

He described the Chinese action against the people in Tibet as “cultural genocide”. “Tibet is facing a serious danger. Whether China admits or not, there is a problem,” he said.

He said he was not against hosting Olympics in Beijing. “China is a big nation having one of the oldest cultures of the world and it deserves to host these games,” he said. “But the international community has the moral responsibility to remind China to be a good host for the Olympics and respect human rights and other cultures of the world.”