"We appeal to you: help us." - The Dalai Lama

"The Dalai is not a pure religious figure but a political exile under the cover of religion who has long been engaged in activities aimed at splitting the motherland and national unity," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told reporters in Beijing.

Not unlike the bully on the playground who complains when the kid who he stole lunch money from asks for it back, the Chinese Government persists in their vapid regurgitations regarding their authority over Tibet. "It was yours. We came and took it. Now it is ours." "We are bigger and stronger than you. So shut up, what we did was for your own good." And, "Stop complaining. Your activity is criminal. We have a right to defend that which we have stolen rom you."

In an AP story appearing this morning, The Dalai Lama, from Rome, is quoted as saying that "China is taking an increasingly harsh stance on Tibet", and he has appealed for international help.

"Our right hand has always reached out to the Chinese government," the Dalai Lama said. "That hand has always remained empty, so with our left hand we appeal to you: help us."

The AP story went on to note that:

The spiritual leader was at the end of a 10-day visit to Italy that, like most of his recent international trips, has drawn criticism from China.

China condemned the visit, saying it opposed any country supporting or sympathizing with the exiled spiritual leader.

•Read the entire story at the AP Web site.
•Related: "China condemns Dalai Lama's visit to Rome" (USA TODAY)