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<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7302654.stm>
Last Updated: Tuesday, 18 March 2008, 13:27 GMT
End Tibet unrest, says Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama (18 March 2008)
The Dalai Lama said he welcomed an investigation into the riots
The Dalai Lama has called for an end to violent protests in Tibet, denying claims by China that he was responsible for 
the unrest.

He said he would resign as head of Tibet's government-in-exile if the 
violence in his homeland worsened.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao earlier accused the Dalai Lama of masterminding 
the protests against Chinese rule.

China says 13 people were killed by rioters in Lhasa. Tibetan exiles say 99 
have died in clashes with authorities.

The protests began on 10 March - the anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule - and have gradually 
escalated.

'Sabotage'

The Dalai Lama spoke in Dharamsala in northern India, where his Free Tibet Movement is based, to reject accusations by 
Mr Wen of orchestrating the violence.

        
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao 18/3/08
There is ample fact and plenty of evidence proving this incident was 
organised by the Dalai clique
Wen Jiabao

Mr Wen's speech

"Violence is against human nature," the Dalai Lama, 72, said. "We should not develop anti-Chinese feelings. We must live 
together side by side."

The Dalai Lama, who in 1989 was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his consistent opposition to the use of violence, said 
that even if "1,000 Tibetans sacrificed their life", this would be "not much help" .

He added: "If things are getting out of control, then the option is to completely 
resign [as political head]," he said.

A spokesman for the government-in-exile later stressed there was no question of the Dalai Lama stepping down as the 
spiritual leader of the Tibetan people.

The Dalai Lama reaffirmed that he wanted autonomy for Tibet within China, but not outright independence, which he said 
was "out of the question".

He also denied Chinese accusations that he instigated the violence.

        
Monks and police face off at the Ganden Monastery, 40km east of Lhasa on 12 
March

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"Investigate thoroughly," he said. "If you want to start investigating from here you are most welcome. Check our various 
offices."

Earlier, Mr Wen said the Dalai Lama's claim of "cultural genocide" in Tibet was 
"nothing but lies".

Mr Wen's comments - his first since the violence broke out - came in response to a question by a Western journalist at a 
news conference following the close of China's parliament.

Mr Wen defended China's handling of the violence, accusing protesters of 
robbery, arson and violence.

"There is ample fact and plenty of evidence proving this incident was organised, premeditated, masterminded and incited 
by the Dalai clique," he said.

Mr Wen also said the protesters "wanted to incite the sabotage of the Olympic Games in order to achieve their 
unspeakable goal". The Games begin in China on 8 August.

Convoys

Large numbers of police are patrolling the streets of Lhasa.

A Chinese deadline for protesters to surrender passed on Monday and there is 
no immediate word on the military's actions.

        
TIBET DIVIDE
Free Tibet protester in Delhi, India, 18 March
China says Tibet was always part of its territory
Tibet enjoyed long periods of autonomy before 20th century
1950: China launched a military assault
Opposition to Chinese rule led to a bloody uprising in 1959
Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama fled to India

Q&A: China and Tibet
In pictures: Exiles rally
Tibet adds to Olympic woes

However, the BBC has received reports from Lhasa of the Chinese authorities conducting house-to-house searches and 
arresting suspected Tibetan protesters.

The BBC's Daniel Griffiths, who is in western China, said he had seen long convoys of military vehicles heading across 
the mountains into Tibet.

There are unconfirmed reports of troops sealing off towns.

Demonstrations have spread to Tibetan communities in Gansu and Sichuan 
provinces.

Police have also stopped BBC journalists from entering the village in which 
the Dalai Lama was born in north-eastern Tibet.

Tourists flying into Nepal from Lhasa have been giving vivid accounts of the 
violence.

Swiss tourist, Claud Balsiger, 25, said protesters had told him they were seeking the release of monks, and things "went 
insane" last Friday after rumours they had been killed.

He said everything that looked Chinese had been attacked or beaten up.

Mr Balsiger also said he had spoken to a Tibetan woman who had lost four 
family members.

China says Tibet has always been part of its territory but Tibet enjoyed long periods of autonomy before the 20th 
Century and many Tibetans remain loyal to the Dalai Lama, who fled in 1959.

TENSION IN TIBET

KEY STORIES

End Tibet unrest, says Dalai Lama
UN calls for restraint in Tibet
In quotes: International reaction
Tibet poses dilemma for Beijing

FEATURES AND ANALYSIS

Tibetan students holding vigil in Lanzhou Escalation?
Protests against Chinese rule in Tibet spread to other provinces

In Pictures: Lhasa tense
Tibet: Old and new
Railway brings a new era

VIDEO ON DEMAND
Violence in Tibet Footage of Tibet clashes emerges
watch
watch Dalai Lama
watch Wen Jiabao

BACKGROUND

Guide: Inside Tibet
Q&A: China and Tibet
Profile: The Dalai Lama
Regions and territories: Tibet

EYEWITNESS

Tibetans describe unrest
Chinese react to violence
Lhasa now 'in cinders'
Monk 'kicked to the floor'


FROM OTHER NEWS SITES
Sydney Morning Herald* Dalai Lama raises prospect of quitting - 38 mins ago
Reuters South Africa China blames Dalai Lama for Tibetan riots - 45 mins ago
Sun Herald Dalai Lama to resign if violence worsens - 57 mins ago
WCBS-TV Dalai Lama Threatens To Resign Over Tibet Violence - 1 hr ago
Channel 4 News Jia Bao blames Dalai Lama for riots - 1 hr ago