Dalai Lama not a separatist: Archbishop Tutu

Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh, India), Feb 10 (PTI) Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu today described Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama as the "most peace loving person on the earth," who is not a "separatist," and asked China to grant Tibet autonomy. "I want to tell Beijing that his Holiness (the Dalai Lama) is the most peace loving person on the earth. He has no army. He does not command people with guns. He is not a separatist," Tutu, who was on a one-day visit along with his wife to Dharamshala in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh where the exile Tibetan government is based, said. "Dalai Lama is loved everywhere in the world. This is the Holiest person I have ever met. His influence is quite extraordinary," he said in the presence of the spiritual leader at an event organised outside his residence at the main Tibetan Temple. "I wish to say to the Chinese Government, please allow Tibet to be autonomous. I beg you for the same," he said. Archbishop Tutu, who is currently on a five-day visit to India to support the cause of ending child marriage, also hoped that a day will come when "we will enter free Tibet." Both the leaders were scheduled to meet in October last in South Africa when Tutu had invited the Dalai Lama to attend his 80th birthday celebrations in Cape Town. However, the temporal head of Tibetans had to call off his trip at the eleventh hour after repeated visa delays. Referring to the incident, the South African leader said, "Now I can celebrate my 80th birthday properly." While praising the work done by the Archbishop for the welfare of the people, the Dalai Lama said "we can feel the warmth of your love." "We the Tibetans are passing through a difficult period, Please pray for us daily," he also said. PTI Caption for pic: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama greeting Nobel laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu at Mcleodganj, Dharamshala on Friday. Lobsang Sangay (right), Prime Minster of the Tibetan government in exile, is also seen. PTI Photo