PATNA, India – The Dalai Lama on Thursday joined the plea for a peaceful end to the crisis in Iraq, saying any possible war would lead to “a trail of destruction”.
Tibet’s spiritual leader, who won the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize, was speaking to reporters in Bodh Gaya where thousands of devotees had gathered for a Buddhist festival.
“If Iraq is destroyed, its effects will be felt everywhere,” the Dalai Lama said.
“War will lead to a trail of destruction…and it will definitely have its impact on other countries,” the Press Trust of India quoted him as saying.
The United States has stepped up the pace of troop deployment in the Gulf region and defence officials say it could be ready for war by mid-to-late February. President George W. Bush accuses Iraq of hiding weapons of mass destruction and defying the world community by trying to develop them.
“As in the case of Tibet, I favour talks with Iraq rather than war,” the Dalai Lama said.
The Tibetan leader has lived in exile in Dharamsala since he fled Tibet in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule.
