I am an honest friend of China: Dalai Lama

Melbourne, June 14 : The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama, believes that he is an honest friend of China and describes himself as pro-Chinese.

"Actually as far as social economy goes, I'm a Marxist. I am more red than the Chinese leaders, who seem to be only concerned with money. In Marxist theory there is a concern with the equal distribution of wealth. So this has a moral principle which capitalist theory doesn't," he said.

"I don't agree with the authoritarian side. Authoritarianism has ruined Marxism," The Australian quoted him, as saying.

The Dalai Lama does not seek independence from China for Tibet and the six million Tibetans who live there and in surrounding Chinese provinces. Nor does he support violence of any kind, not that directed at the Chinese state or conducted by anyone else.

He proposes a middle way, in which China would grant Tibet a degree of internal autonomy under a one-country, two-systems style of arrangements somewhat similar to those pertaining in Hong Kong.

The Dalai stressed how pro-Chinese he is, and said that he has never urged a boycott of the Beijing Olympics and wants other countries to go to Beijing.

The Australian reported that he supported China's entry into the World Trade Organisation and has consistently supported all reasonable outside engagement with China.

However, he also tells the truth about China's behaviour inside Tibet, which is frankly appalling and accuses Beijing of undertaking cultural genocide in Tibet.

"The Chinese Government accuses us, they say these problems (demonstrations in Tibet) are started from outside, by the Dalai clique," the Dalai Lama said.

"So I want to carry out investigations. I say to the Chinese, please allow the international community, the international media, to go to Tibet, and I say to the international community and media, please go there and see what's happening," he added.

In the fifth round of talks in February 2006, he told The Australian, the Chinese acknowledged that Tibetans were not seeking independence: "But then in April-May 2006 the Chinese intensified their accusations against me as a splittist, and political repression in nunneries and monasteries (in Tibet) increased."

As a result, he says, his own people are criticising his moderate, middle-path approach.

The Dalai Lama is hopeful of one day returning to Tibet after forging a compromise with Beijing. He does not believe the communists can win forever through repression alone.

ANI