China accuses Dalai Lama of plotting 'terror'

FIGHTING FIT: Dalai Lama says he wants talks with China to negotiate autonomy, but not outright independence of Tibet.

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"The Dalai clique has also strengthened collusion with 'East Turkestan' terror organisations, and planned terror activities in Tibet in a bid to turn the attention of the international community towards Tibet," the paper said on Saturday.

Ferocious criticism

Up to now, most of the ferocious criticism of the Dalai Lama came from the official Tibet press, but many more are joining in.

"The Dalai clique has descended into becoming an outright terrorist organisation," said a commentary on an official Shanghai news website (www.eastday.com).

Beijing's efforts to isolate the Dalai Lama could become a sticking point with Taiwan's President-elect Ma Ying-jeou, who said the exiled leader would be welcome on the disputed island, and an Olympic boycott was possible.

China calls Taiwan a breakaway province that must accept reunification.

"The Dalai Lama, if he wants to visit Taiwan, he'd be more than welcome," Ma, who favours closer economic ties and political dialogue with China, told a news conference in Taipei on Sunday, a day after his landslide election win.

"If the situation in Tibet worsens, we would consider the possibility of not sending athletes to the Games," Ma added.

China's denunciations of the Dalai Lama have drawn applause from many Han Chinese citizens, who have said Western critics fail to appreciate their government's efforts to develop Tibet and have treated the violence in Lhasa as legitimate protest.

But the campaign has begun to draw some domestic critics.

On Saturday, a group of 29 Chinese dissidents urged Beijing to end the bitter propaganda, allow United Nations investigators into Tibet, and open direct dialogue with the Dalai Lama.

"In our opinion, Cultural Revolution-style language ... is of not help in easing the situation," they wrote in a petition issued on the Internet, referring to the lurid language used against foes during Mao Zedong's era.

While troops have choked off much travel in Tibetan areas and blocked access by foreign reporters, officials have also said they are guarding against unrest in Xinjiang.