Briefly: Dalai Lama raps torch protests

NARITA--The Dalai Lama, during a stopover here Thursday, decried recent protests in Europe and the United States aimed at interfering with the Olympic torch relay to Beijing.

Dalai Lama

Tibet's spiritual leader arrived from his base in India, where he lives in self-exile.

He gave a news conference before he departed for Seattle.

The Dalai Lama said he did not condone the violent protests in London and Paris which came in response to China's repression of recent rioting in Tibet.

He reiterated his support for China's hosting of this summer's Olympic Games.(IHT/Asahi: April 11,2008)