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Dalai Lama Says Diplomacy With Beijing Has Failed


Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, says he is giving up on talks with China about autonomy, adding that his faith in the Chinese government is becoming "thinner and thinner."

Speaking with reporters Monday in Tokyo, the Buddhist leader said he has to accept failure. He said he has no other alternative but to ask the Tibetan people what to do next.

He also said that suppression in Tibet is increasing and that he cannot pretend everything is OK.

The spiritual leader plans to hold a meeting of Tibetan exiles later this month to discuss a future strategy toward the Chinese government.

China accuses him of secretly promoting Tibetan independence. The Dalai Lama says he seeks greater autonomy for Tibet to preserve its unique Buddhist culture.

Envoys of the Dalai Lama arrived in China last week for talks with Chinese officials. But, the Dalai Lama declined to comment on their progress.

Dalai Lama, 73, urged the people of Tibet to keep their minds open to all different opinions and not be fixated on one issue like autonomy.

The Dalai Lama arrived in Tokyo Friday on a flight from India, where he has lived in exile since fleeing Tibet in 1959.

He is scheduled to give a two-day lecture on compassion beginning Tuesday in the southwestern city of Fukuoka.

No meetings with Japanese officials have been announced.



Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

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