Chinese troops disguise as monks to foment violence:Dalai Lama

New Delhi, Mar 29 (UNI) The Dalai Lama today turned the tables on the Chinese, saying the Red Army soldiers ''disguised as monks'' to incite violence in Tibet.

The Chinese had earlier blamed the Dalai Lama for instigating violence in Tibet to ''sabotage'' the Beijing Olympics in August.

''We have pictures to prove this. In one picture, we see a lama holding a sword, which is not a traditional Tibetan sword, but a Chinese one. We know that a few hundred Chinese soldiers have been dressed like monks,'' the Tibetan Spiritual leader told a news conference here.

He said the Tibetans were not ''foolish'' to resort to violence, which was like committing suicide.

''Tibetans practice non-violence even in charged atmosphere.'' He also urged the international community to investigate the Chinese allegation that he was behind the violence in Tibet.

The Dalai Lama said he was serious about his threat to resign if the violence by Tibetans continued.

''If things become out-of-control, violent, I have no other alternative but to resign. In any case, I may voluntarily and happily resign after some time as a young, healthy and qualified Tibetan spiritual leadership is emerging. I am not worried on that account. I want to devote more time in religious matters and be simple Buddhist monk.'' The leader of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile said the March 10 uprising was the spontaneous reaction from the Tibetans.

''We and even Chinese were surprised. The violence may be the result of growing frustration in Tibet.'' The Dalai Lama said his return to Tibet would take place only when there was ''certain degree of freedom'' in the region on the basis of his ''Middle Way'' approach.

''We don't want special privileges, but only a certain degree of freedom. If that happens, we all will happily return to Tibet.

Till then, the Tibetans have asked me to stay in a free country like India. The Tibetans are my bosses,'' he added.

Asked if his ''Middle Way'' approach had failed to produce the desired results, the Dalai Lama said it was too early to say that. ''We have to wait for few more months,'' he added.

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