Dalai Lama: China denies problem in Tibet

WASHINGTON - China is “denying there is a problem” between its government and Tibet despite reports of “suppression … or restrictions” culturally and religiously of the Tibetan people, the Dalai Lama says.

China claims Tibetans are “very happy … much, much, much better than previous Tibet,” the Tibetan spiritual leader told CNN Monday days after his controversial meeting with President Barack Obama last week.

However, he noted that his Tibetan government-in-exile has received information indicating “suppression … or restrictions” culturally and religiously of the Tibetan people.

China rejects Tibetan claims of independence or greater autonomy and claims sovereignty over the area. But the Dalai Lama, who has been living in exile in India since 1959, said that Tibetans “are not seeking independence.”

“That’s why we call the middle way,” he said. “We complain [about] the presence of policy in Tibet. It is actually very much damaging. … But [on the] other hand, we also do not want separation from China because … Tibet [is a] landlocked country, materially backward. Every Tibetan want modernised Tibet, so for that reason, [we] remain within the People’s Republic of China.”

Reminded that he recently said that the middle way was failing, the Dalai Lama said: “Yes. After the 10th of March crisis in 2008, I publicly expressed now our effort-one aspect of our sort of effort, that’s to bring improvement inside Tibet.

“Now that aspect failed. But that does not mean complete failure. On the other hand, our approach brings a lot of support from Chinese intellectuals or writers.”

“And then, also, you see many of government now in-I mean, clearly, including the United States government and, also, the Indian government, fully support-support our way of approach,” he said

The Dalai Lama told CNN he first met Obama when the future president was a young senator on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was a “very impressive, young politician then,” he said of Obama.

“As soon as he become president, we had some sort of contact,” he said, indicating that Obama expressed sympathy toward Tibet’s plight. However, a meeting was postponed due to sensitive talks Obama was conducting with Chinese leaders.

“Now this time, despite some difficulties, we had that meeting and [it was a] very pleasant one,” he said.

The Dalai Lama said he discussed three priorities during the meeting with Obama: “the promotion of human value in order to create a better world,” the promotion of religious harmony and his desire for modern education for Tibetan children.

He called Obama very receptive to his priorities.

Asked whether he thinks often of his homeland, the Dalai Lama said he occasionally conjures up memories of his childhood in Tibet. But after more than 50 years in India, “my body [is] supported by Indian rice and Indian dal,” he said.

He sought to deflect attention away from his exile, saying “this is not our concern. Our concern is 6 million Tibetan people’s basic rights and culture. These are our main issues.”

As a Buddhist, the Dalai Lama spoke often during the interview about the concept of love and peace. Asked whether he has love for the Chinese, he answered, “Certainly. We have to practice that.” He admitted to “some irritation” with Chinese hardliners, but insisted they are “small moments.”