Tibet struggle will continue even after I die: The Dalai Lama

New Delhi, Mar 22 (UNI) The Dalai Lama has said the Tibet struggle will never die and would continue even after his death.

''I totally disagree with the view that the Tibet struggle will die, and there will be no hope for Tibet, after the Dalai Lama passes away,'' he said in an exclusive interview with Newsweek.

Asked about the theory of the Chinese officials that the Tibet problem would disappear after the Dalai Lama passes away, the Tibetan spiritual leader replied: ''I don't know''.

He said both inside and outside Tibet, the older generation may go away, but the newer generations carry the same spirit.

''Sometimes, it's even stronger. So after my death, a younger generation will come up.'' The Dalai Lama expressed concern over the possibility of greater violence after his death.

''As long as I am alive, I am fully committed to amity between Tibetans and Chinese. Otherwise there's no use.'' More importantly, he said the Tibetan Buddhist cultural heritage could eventually help bring some deeper values to the millions of Chinese youth who are lost in a (moral) vacuum.

''After all, China is traditionally a Buddhist country.'' The Dalai Lama urged Chinese President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao to seek truth from facts. ''I would also ask Jiabao to please prove his recent accusations that the Dalai Lama has instigated the unrest in Tibet,'' he said.

He also said the Chinese authorities were trying to control the unrest in Tibet by shutting down cell phones, digital photography, and e-mail services.

''But, it is very difficult to control.'' UNI AG KD KN1552