The Dalai Lama says he urged protesters to refrain from violence during
rallies in San Francisco and demanded China give Tibet "genuine"
independence.

(ASIA) NARITA, JAPAN (APRIL 10, 2008) TV TOKYO -

The Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, demanded China give
Tibet "genuine" autonomy but expressed support for Beijing's hosting
of the Olympics on Thursday (April 10) during a stopover in Japan.
    "Right from the beginning, I support Chinese the host of famous
world game. Because China is the world's most populous nation, therefore it
really deserve for the Chinese people, to make host of Olympic game. Now till
today, despite of recent unfortunate event in Tibet, my position no
change," Dalai Lama said.
    In response to the protests and violence the Olympic torch relay faced
in London and Paris, the Dalai Lama said he did not agree with the violence,
but that it was the right of the protesters to voice their feelings.
    "In fact after some trouble in London as well as Paris, I sent a
message to Tibetan in San Francisco area, please don't make any violence
activities. Of course the expression of their feeling is up to them. Nobody
has the right to sort of say, shut up," he said.
    China blames the Dalai Lama and his associates for orchestrating
monk-led protests in Tibet last month that later turned violent as part of a
campaign for independence.
    He said the violence was for a recognition of autonomy that was ignored
for years.
    "Autonomy, just a name. Not sincerely implemented on the spot.
Therefore, Tibetan in all these area of autonomy, full resentment, so this
crisis is expression of their deep resentment. So therefore, we seeking
genuine autonomy, no independence," the Dalai Lama added.
    He also said that the unique culture, religion and traditions in Tibet
was not something the Han Chinese could understand and therefore it was
necessary to preserve it.
    China has waged a bitter propaganda war against the Tibetan spiritual
leader, who it blames for organising violent anti-China protests that exploded
in Lhasa on March 14, before spreading to Tibetan areas in neighbouring
provinces.
    The Dalai Lama denies involvement.
    "Some Chinese officials, they actually stated, the crisis was
masterminded by Dalai Lama and Dalai clique. This accusation is quite serious.
So I immediately appealed to the international community, including Chinese
government, please carry thorough investigation, on the spot. Please come,
check, investigate thoroughly," he said.
    China last week said police had seized guns and explosives from Tibetan
Buddhist monasteries and found evidence the Dalai Lama had supported an
insurrection campaign by exiled Tibetan independence groups which included
planned suicide attacks.
    More than 900 people are also detained for suspicion of being involved
in the violence.
    "As far as we know, at least few hundred people killed in
different part of Tibetan area after tenth March. Now at least a few thousand
arrested, so now thoroughly investigation or neutral respective sort of body
investigate," Dalai Lama said.
    China's government says 19 people died in the Lhasa violence but
representatives of the Dalai Lama say more than 140 people have died across
Tibetan regions.
    The Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 after an abortive uprising
against Chinese rule, spoke to reporters during a brief stopover in Japan on
his way to the United States for a two-week visit he said was not political.

    Representatives for the Dalai Lama in Tokyo had said he had no plans to
meet political figures during his stopover in Japan, although Japanese media
reported he had met with Akie Abe, wife of former conservative prime minister
Shinzo Abe.