China is pressuring the Dalai Lama to support the upcoming Olympic Games as a precondition to future talks. The Dalai Lama's representatives wrapped up a series of talks with Chinese government officials. All the while state officials of China publicly accused him of orchestrating deadly rioting in the Tibetan capital on March 14th. Marquette University Political Scientist Barrett McCormick says the Buddhist Leader has always called for non-violence. He claims there is "very little indication he has ever supported any violent policy."
The Chinese government has also called for the exiled spiritual leader to restrain a faction called the Tibetan Youth Congress. McCormick believes the Dalai Lama has hesitated to do so due to concerns of dividing the exiled Tibetan community.
McCormick says previous talks between the two parties have gone no where. He believes it's more of PR ploy on China's part.
The Dalai Lama will be traveling to Madison July 19th to the 24th.