THE exiled Tibetan political and spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has appealed for urgent intervention from the international community to force the Chinese government to negotiate on Tibet's future.
Speaking to a joint meeting of several European Parliament committees yesterday, the Dalai Lama said the lack of progress was "increasing the real danger of violent conflicts breaking out in Tibet".
He was encouraged to hear the Irish EU Presidency had said Tibet would be pursued with the Chinese authorities. But according to a Government spokesman there was no request for a meeting with the Irish presidency.
The Dalai Lama was speaking at the start of a two day visit to Strasbourg where he will meet European Commissioners and MEPs. He recalled that during a visit to Strasbourg in 1988 he first presented a framework for negotiations with China "on an agenda that does not call for the separation and independence of Tibet".
China had not responded positively to this, despite a past statement by Mr Deng Xiaoping that "anything except independence can be discussed and resolved".
"Historically and according to international law Tibet is an independent country under illegal Chinese occupation. However, over the past 17 years, since we established direct contact with the Beijing authorities in 1979, I have adopted a middle way approach of reconciliation and compromise."
He said he was striving for genuine sell"government for Tibet, and "I wish to reiterate our willingness to start negotiations with China any time, anywhere and without preconditions".