Dalai Lama, admitting failed strategy, appeals for pressure on China

GOVERNMENTS and human rights groups must step up pressure on China to negotiate on Tibet, says the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual and political leader of Tibet, admitting that his strategy of conciliation toward the Chinese had failed.

In a statement he read at his home in India to mark the 35th anniversary of an abortive uprising that led to his escape, the exiled Tibetan leader acknowledged that a growing number of his people were disheartened by his offer to compromise on full independence for the Himalayan kingdom.

The Dalai Lama has proposed negotiations with the Chinese to give Tibetans control over their domestic affairs and to stem the flood of officially encouraged Chinese migration to Tibet.

``We have to place our hopes on international support and help in bringing about meaningful negotiations, to which I still remain committed,'' he said.