Tibet’s political and spiritual head, the Dalai Lama having arrived in the Swiss town of Lausanne, ahead of the Sino-Tibetan conference being held in Geneva later this week, claimed he has been encouraged by a demonstration of support and solidarity from Chinese people for the Tibetan cause. Although he did not detail which particular cause, his own which seeks so-called autonomy as a part of communist China, or the cause of Tibetans inside Tibet who continue to struggle for their nation’s independence.
At a crowded press conference the Dalai Lama said there was increased awareness inside China about the issue of Tibet. On the controversial and divisive subject of his Administration’s pursuit of so-called autonomy he said “from a wider perspective, things are very hopeful”. He claimed that a number of Chinese officials told him in private that they are concerned about Tibet. Adding that the international community should arrange an investigation to examine the violent suppression of Tibetan demonstrations in 2008.
