Chinese ambassador says Dalai Lama is 'lying'
OTTAWA (AFP) — China's ambassador to Canada on Wednesday accused the Dalai Lama of "lying" to the West and his inner circle of being behind protests in Lhasa that have turned violent.
"The Dalai Lama has been telling lies to the world for decades to make the Western public believe that what he says, whatever he says, is truth. It's wrong," Ambassador Lu Shumin told reporters.
"He advocates for so-called peaceful demonstrations, non-violence ... but have you seen anything he has done in that direction?"
The ambassador accused the Dalai Lama of "pretending to be a peaceful, like an angel-type of figure." But, he added, "What has happened in Tibet was instigated by separatist groups led by Dalai Lama clique."
Ambassador Lu pointed to alleged Internet postings late last year by Tibetan separatist groups "closely linked" to the Tibetan government-in-exile in India warning of the protests in March.
His torrent of criticism came as world leaders press Beijing for restraint in the violence in Tibet that, according to Tibet's government-in-exile, has claimed 140 dead, as well as the need for consultation with representatives of the Dalai Lama.
Talks between the Chinese authorities and the Dalai Lama's envoys were suspended since the summer of last year.
Ambassador Lu said: "The door is always open to the Dalai Lama for dialogue ... as long as he gives up his idea of Tibet independence and stops these activities and also recognizes Tibet is part of China and Taiwan is part of China."
Lu then went on to challenge China's critics, saying its control of Tibet had actually established respect for human rights, and likening Tibet previously to "resembling life in medieval Europe."
He pointed out a German expedition that visited Lhasa in 1939 to study Tibetan ways and see if they fit into the Nazi worldview.
"You will see the change (since then), and you will see ... who is working for the protection and improvement of human rights and who is not," Lu said.
