Don't back Dalai, China tells intl community

Ignoring repeated calls for direct dialogue with the Dalai Lama, China on Tuesday asked international community not to provide 'any support in any form' to the Tibetan spiritual leader.

"We hope the international community will clearly be aware of the nature of the Dalai Lama clique (supporters of the Dalai) and tell (distinguish) the right from the wrong," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told media persons in Beijing, as the US and European nations stepped up pressure on Beijing to opt for the dialogue route.

Repeating the charge that the riots in Tibetan capital of Lhasa and in other parts were 'premeditated and organised' by 'the Dalai clique', Qin asked: "Can killing, looting and arson be considered a high moral ground?"

He also urged the international community not to provide 'any support in any form' to the Dalai.

"As long as he (the Dalai Lama) gives up separatist propositions and ceases separatist activities, the door for the dialogue is always open," Qin said.

"You have quoted some expressions of some countries you claim present international community. I don't think they speak for the whole international community. 110 countries have expressed support to the stance of Chinese government. So, the countries and governments you mentioned cannot speak for the world," Qin told a journalist, who asked about calls from the US, European nations and Japan.

Qin claimed that 110 countries had said they opposed the 'criminal acts of violence of the Dalai Lama clique like looting, smashing and beating' and they also recognised Tibet as an inseparable part of China.

Those countries also supported China's measures according to law to safeguard fundamental interests of an 'overwhelming majority' of people, Qin said.

"I believe that could show which side justice prevails. Justice will always prevail."

Asked if China considered the 'Dalai clique' a terrorist organisation as Beijing accuses him of having instigated and organised violence in Tibet and other areas, he said: "It is a separatist group. You can clearly see it through all these incidents. We request the Dalai Lama to give up his separatist propositions and thoroughly cease all separatist activities."

"We have taken note of relevant reports and we will conduct further investigation into the connection between the Dalai clique and the East Turkmenistan separatist forces," he said, when asked to comment on a report about it in People's Daily, the ruling Communist Party of China's mouthpiece.