11-09-2009, 08:07 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Dalai Lama trashes China claim on Arunachal</b>
pioneer.com
Sukhendu Bhattacharya | Tawang
Arrives to rousing welcome from people in Tawang
Arriving in this border town to a rousing reception on a visit resented by China, the Dalai Lama on Sunday rebuffed it for objecting to his trip to Arunachal Pradesh and expressed surprise over its claims to Tawang, a revered seat of Buddhism.
The 74-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader, who is visiting this remote Northeastern State after a gap of six years drawing international attention in the wake of Chinese protests, also rejected Beijingâs charge he was encouraging a separatist movement calling it baseless.
The Nobel Laureate characterised his âemotionalâ visit to Tawang, which has strong ties to Tibet, as non-political. âIt is totally baseless on the part of the Chinese Communist Government to say that I am encouraging a separatist movement. My visit to Tawang is non-political and aimed at promoting universal brotherhood and nothing else,â he said.
The Dalai Lama said the Peopleâs Liberation Army of China had occupied Tawang and nearly reached Bom Dila during the Sino-India war in 1962.
âBut the then Chinese Government declared a unilateral ceasefire and withdrew (its forces). Now the Chinese have got different views. This is something which I really donât know. I am a little bit surprised,â he said in a clear reference to Chinese claims over Tawang.
The Dalai was talking to newsmen after opening a museum at the 400-year-old Tawang Monastery here. China has strongly objected to the Dalai Lamaâs visit and in recent days it has stepped up rhetoric claiming Tawang and whole of Arunachal as part of their country.
He said there was no point in holding talks with China on the Tibet issue unless Beijing spells out its policy on it. âIt is quite usual for China to step up campaigning against me wherever I go,â he added.
The Dalai recalled his visit to Tawang 50 years ago while fleeing across the Himalayas after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet. The spiritual leader, who flew to Tawang from Guwahati on Sunday morning, was welcomed by cheering Tibetans as he drove along the 10-km stretch from the helipad to the Tawang Monastery, accompanied by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Kandu.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
pioneer.com
Sukhendu Bhattacharya | Tawang
Arrives to rousing welcome from people in Tawang
Arriving in this border town to a rousing reception on a visit resented by China, the Dalai Lama on Sunday rebuffed it for objecting to his trip to Arunachal Pradesh and expressed surprise over its claims to Tawang, a revered seat of Buddhism.
The 74-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader, who is visiting this remote Northeastern State after a gap of six years drawing international attention in the wake of Chinese protests, also rejected Beijingâs charge he was encouraging a separatist movement calling it baseless.
The Nobel Laureate characterised his âemotionalâ visit to Tawang, which has strong ties to Tibet, as non-political. âIt is totally baseless on the part of the Chinese Communist Government to say that I am encouraging a separatist movement. My visit to Tawang is non-political and aimed at promoting universal brotherhood and nothing else,â he said.
The Dalai Lama said the Peopleâs Liberation Army of China had occupied Tawang and nearly reached Bom Dila during the Sino-India war in 1962.
âBut the then Chinese Government declared a unilateral ceasefire and withdrew (its forces). Now the Chinese have got different views. This is something which I really donât know. I am a little bit surprised,â he said in a clear reference to Chinese claims over Tawang.
The Dalai was talking to newsmen after opening a museum at the 400-year-old Tawang Monastery here. China has strongly objected to the Dalai Lamaâs visit and in recent days it has stepped up rhetoric claiming Tawang and whole of Arunachal as part of their country.
He said there was no point in holding talks with China on the Tibet issue unless Beijing spells out its policy on it. âIt is quite usual for China to step up campaigning against me wherever I go,â he added.
The Dalai recalled his visit to Tawang 50 years ago while fleeing across the Himalayas after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet. The spiritual leader, who flew to Tawang from Guwahati on Sunday morning, was welcomed by cheering Tibetans as he drove along the 10-km stretch from the helipad to the Tawang Monastery, accompanied by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Kandu.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->