Dalai Lama: 'We are not anti-Chinese'

DALAI LAMA:

That...

ANN CURRY:

And Nicholas Sarkozy is considering--

                (OVERTALK)

DALAI LAMA:

I tell you--

ANN CURRY:

--of France.

DALAI LAMA:

--it is very important that you see, make clear, not only just the Tibet case.  But in China proper, the record of human right is poor.  And religious freedom, also very poor.  Oh, this reminds us the-- Tiananmen event.

ANN CURRY:

Tiananmen Square?

DALAI LAMA:

Thousands of people, particularly young people was crushed.  So, I think that I think.  I'm still-- you see, I think thousands of Chinese brother, sisters, particularly-- many ladies, who lost-- either their-- son, or-- or is it their husband, or their friend like that.  So many of them still feel very, very sort of sad.  I think, now, we should remind some of these things.  And after all, the Chinese leaders, I think, last-- now last-- 60 years, if we watch carefully.  I usually describe Mao's era, Deng Xiaoping's era, Jiang Zemin's era, Hu Jintao's era, if you look closely, the leaders at different time, I think, they had according to new reality. Now, there's Hu Jintao uh very much emphasis-- the importance of uh build harmonious society.  That is, I think, very sort of I think, very-- I think, very right, according to new reality.  Now, economy, prosperity, these things are-- and going well. Now, important is this get rich and poor, reduce.  And then also, the different ethnic, including Tibetan, including national, I don't know, whatever you call, the unity, harmony is very essential.  Now, for that, they equality.  I think, the harmony, very much based on trust. Without trust, we fear.  Harmony is impossible.  A trust must develop.  For trust, more freedom, more equality.  Let them speak.  Or, Chairman Mao, see, often used to say the Communist Party, without self-criticism, and criticism from other cannot survive. Like fish without water.  Once, says Chairman Mao, only he himself not very sincerely practice these things.  But I think, these are really wonderful.  And that also (UNINTEL PHRASE) seeking truth from fact.  These are scientific and very realistic.  So basically, I think the leadership in these four periods, I think uh their approach, I-- I feel, more realistic. So therefore, now, under the leadership as-- Hu Jintao , present President Hu Jintao.  I think China eventually may open more uh open society.  I think, that's the interest for everyone.  So, I think the people will outside world, in particular these present leaders of nations' leaders, I think, should remind, not only just Tibet case, but they must remind the sitting Chinese, uh People's Republic of China as a a whole. In China, mostly important, most important nation and very very important member of the humanity.  Now, in order to carry more, sort of, what's responsibility, more effective responsibility, the Chinese moral authority must improve.

ANN CURRY:

So, to remind China of this, you think that the world must send a message to China--

DALAI LAMA:

That's important--

ANN CURRY:

--that you must rise, not only as an economic power, but one that supports human rights?

DALAI LAMA:

Yes.

ANN CURRY:

So, are you saying then, the answer is yes?  That you would wish world leaders, in some way, to make a statement?  Whether it's not attending the opening ceremonies, or in some way, you wish world leaders to make a statement to China on this?  Is this correct?

DALAI LAMA:

Yes.  It reminds them, in order to be a respected, important member of the humanity, in certain field, not only economy impro-- improvement, but in certain field, must improve.  That's, I think, important.  And Chinese people want that.

ANN CURRY:

Are you saying it would be significant, and that you could support world leaders boycotting the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games?

DALAI LAMA:

That I don't know.  That I don't know.  Generally, as I mentioned earlier, in principle, I fully support the-- the Olympic Game.  And--

                        (OVERTALK)

ANN CURRY:

I meant the opening ceremonies.

DALAI LAMA:

--and opening ceremony, all part of that.  (PAUSE) That, I feel up to that, those leaders individual.  They also have wisdom.  Should be, enough wisdom. (LAUGHTER) So, according their wisdom, they should judge.

ANN CURRY:

They should judge?

DALAI LAMA:

Yeah.

ANN CURRY:

But if they don't boycott the opening ceremonies, then you say, they should make some statement to China?

DALAI LAMA:

I think-- publicly or behind scene, I think, from time to time, others-- many leaders do that.  I think that is very, very important.  And then, not only the, these leaders.  Be it, the media, as well as the uh student, and sort of scholar, or is the exchange scholarships, and also, professors, visiting professors.  Everybody.  And including businessman.

ANN CURRY:

But if not-- but if not to boycott the Olympic opening ceremonies, if you're not calling on world leaders to do that.  If you're saying, "I leave it up to you," here's the question.  For 50 years, you have wanted the world to pay attention to the suffering in Tibet.  Now, the world is listening.  What do you want the world specifically to do?

DALAI LAMA:

I think, for immediate, uh immediate, firstly, now, at least according, the-- up to date information.  Of course, now, this information is difficult to crosscheck.  But uh generally, seems to say, few hundred people kept.  And a few thousands, I think serious injuries.  But these injury - inside Tibet.  Now, these, no medical facility.  And there are very, very fear to approach the Chinese hospital or these things.  So, I think, immense sort of suffering, callousness (UNINTEL PHRASE) injure, injured people.  And in some cases-- the people, uh, re, escaped, escaped from the town or monastery, and remain in mountain, without any sort of, what's now,  food-- food stuff and these things. So, they are really danger of starvation.  I heard there is some starvation already is happen.  So-- I-- right from the beginning, I appeal world community, please send some uh medical facilities, some doctors.  And then also, media people go there, investigate, including their accusation about me, towards me that those Tibetan outside.  Now, please carry terror investigation, on the spot, and including investigators, as a people, who investigate, including some Chinese.  Come to Dansala (PH) .  Most welcome.  Please.  Watch.  Resources.  Check.  Investigate.

                        (OVERTALK)

DALAI LAMA:

Whether we created these problems or not. (LAUGHS)

ANN CURRY:

China--

DALAI LAMA:

So, these are immediate so necessary.  Go.  Some medical help.  Then second, try to investigate, on the spot, what is the reason?  What is wrong?  Nobody want-- these troubles, Chinese government or Tibetan.  We want peace.  Peace life.  Peaceful life.  And stability.  We really want stability.  Through stability, the prosperity, or various activities regarding preservation of Tibetan culture. All these things.  Stability is the basis.  So, we must in order to avoid, how you say,  crisis.  We must-- know that-- that the reasons, the causes, and the conditions.  So uh  as as I had mentioned earlier, you see, I think, world community have the moral responsibility to help, fact finding, or seeking truth from fact.  That's the reporter.  I think, unfortunately, some local officials sometimes, I think, they are quite expert, pretend, hide the reality.  Showing something artificial.  Now, there's the problem.  That's problem. Unlike India.  They are huge country.  Almost,  South India and North India, in the different places, almost like, I see, different nation.  Different language.  There's a different culture.  Different behavior.  But these problems-- problems there-- and all problems immediately come out.  Nothing is (UNINTEL PHRASE) height.  In China's case, those totalitarian regions' case.  So, officially things looks smooth.  But underneath, a lot of resentment.  Now--

                        (OVERTALK)

DALAI LAMA:

--this must come out.  And accept that.  And then, realistically approach these problem.  So, therefore, I think for,  to the central government, I think, there's some independent type of investigation.  What is going on?  What went wrong?  I think it is very very useful to help central government, to know the reality.

ANN CURRY:

China says about 20 people were killed during the arrests in Tibet.  You just said, hundreds, you believe, were killed?  This is information you're getting?

DALAI LAMA:

Uh-huh (AFFIRM).  Oh, I-- I mean, you see, the-- I-- I think, maybe when Chinese say, I can only, autonomous region of Tibet, maybe.  I don't know.  I don't know.  But it seems, you see, they-- outside the the autonomous region of Tibet, this area very remote.  And many don't, deh, what's it called, what's say, normantic (PH), very remote area.  So, I really very much worry, as-- what's-- what is happening in this area?

ANN CURRY:

Let's talk about resolution.  This week, President Bush said, quote, "It would stand the government of China, in good stead, if they would begin a dialogue with representatives of the Dalai Lama."  What contact do you have with China?  Are you now willing to go to Beijing?

DALAI LAMA:

That's (my part??).  Anywhere, uh anytime, always ready--(OVERTALK)

MORE FROM NIGHTLY NEWS

Nightly News Section Front

On foreign soil, Obama acknowledges U.S. flaws   McCain: U.S. needs 'steady hand at the tiller'   For struggling Ford, smaller cars are job one   Minimum wage raised to $6.55   Assessing Dolly's damage   Tug crew in barge collision not licensed   Gender gap theory doesn't add up   One-on-one with Barack Obama   American hero celebrates 99th birthday Nightly News Section Front   Add Nightly News headlines to your news reader: