Dalai Lama May Alter Stand on China

International Herald Tribune, thursday, september 15, 1994

London - Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, said Wednesday that he was growing weary of defending his efforts to reach a political solution with China over the future of the Himalayan state.

"If it is true my approach is becoming a factor for demoralization, sadness and discouragement for the people inside Tibet," he said, "then I cannot stay with that position, I cannot take that responsibility."

The Nobel Peace Prize winner said that he was being increasingly criticized by some Tibetans for being too soft in his approach to China, which invaded Tibet in 1950. His search for an agreement with Beijing has brought no improvements inside Tibet, he said. But he said he would not back violent protest against Beijing's control.

[Reuters]