Dalai Lama: Open Tibet 'to the world'

SEATTLE, April 14 (UPI) -- The Dalai Lama, in Seattle for a conference, called upon China to open Tibet "to the world" and reiterated his support for Beijing's hosting of the Olympics.

During a news conference Sunday, the Buddhist leader said his representatives were participating in "some efforts" to discuss the unrest in Tibet with the Chinese through third parties, the Seattle Times reported.

Riots last month began on the anniversary of a 1959 uprising that protested Chinese rule resulting in the Dalai Lama fleeing Tibet. The recent protests began peacefully but turned violent with the Chinese government imposing a military crackdown. The death toll was 20 by Chinese accounts and 140 by the Tibetan government-in-exile's estimate.

The Dalai Lama called for Tibet to be "open to the world" with visitors and media allowed to visit to "see the actual situation."

The Nobel laureate restated his support for China's hosting the Summer Games and said the boycotting of opening ceremonies was up to individual countries.

Several Western leaders said they would not attend the ceremonies in protest of China's human rights record and intervention in Tibet.