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Dalai Lama expects 'supportive policy' from Obama

AFP

The Dalai Lama at a press conference in Gdansk, Poland on 5 December 2008. He said on Sunday he was sure United States president-elect Barack Obama would adopt a “supportive policy” toward the situation of Tibet. AFP/Janek Skarzynski/Poland

The Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama said on Sunday he was sure United States president-elect Barack Obama would adopt a “supportive policy” toward the situation of Tibet.

He told journalists in Krakow he had known Obama for many years and during his candidacy for the presidency they had been in touch by telephone and by correspondence.

He was quite sure Obama would pursue a supportive policy, he added.

“There is some kind of excitement, some kind, I think of hope — so we will see,” the he added, commenting on Barack Obama’s historic victory in November’s US presidential election.

The Dalai Lama, 73, who lives in exile in India, has sought meaningful autonomy for Tibet since he fled his homeland following a failed uprising in 1959 against Chinese rule, nine years after Chinese troops invaded the region.

China argues he is actually seeking full independence, something he has repeatedly denied, calling it a “totally baseless” claim in comments on Friday.

The Dalai Lama is currently on an eight-day visit to Poland, which will last until December 12.

Copyright © 2008 Agence France-Presse

Published in Times of India