Caen, 17th April (AFP): The Dalai Lama made a plea on Thursday [17th April] at the peace memorial in Caen [northwest France] for "religious diversity", while at the same time warning Westerners against conversions to Buddhism which were not the fruit of "deep reflection" .

"It's a good thing that we have a supermarket of religions where each person can choose what they like," the Tibetan spiritual leader, who began a visit to France on Wednesday [16th April], said with a smile. The Dalai Lama said religious pluralism was as "vital" as political pluralism.

He said religious faith could not be "a fashion" and urged people to "preserve their religious tradition". [Passage omitted: visit purely pastoral, no meetings with politicians planned.]

On President Jacques Chirac's forthcoming visit to China, the Dalai Lama expressed the hope that the trip would help to open up a "dialogue" between Tibet and China. "I know that in his heart of hearts Mr Chirac has a sincere and genuine sympathy for the Tibetan cause," he added.