Dalai Lama: Too Many Lives Lost in Iraq
Published: Wednesday, 27 September, 2006
Long Beach, Calif., USA 27 Sep 2006 (Laura Kurtzman / AP) - Dalai
Lama says violence in Iraq has cost too many lives, soured his view of U.S.-led
war. The Dalai Lama said Tuesday that violence in Iraq has cost too many lives
and soured his view of the U.S.-led war.
The Tibetan spiritual leader initially reserved judgment on the conflict,
saying it would only become clear with time whether the invasion was a good
idea.
"At the early stage I felt, and also I expressed, 'Too early to say, to
judge.' But now, things not very positive," he said in an interview with
The Associated Press. "Now in Iraq _ too many killings."
To restore relations between the Muslim world and the West, he said, both sides should get to know each other.
"Close contact creates clear understanding," he said. "Then
suspicion, fear may not find much room. Even some disagreement doesn't
matter."
The Dalai Lama was in Long Beach to address a women's conference presided over
by California first lady Maria Shriver. He also met privately with Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger.
The Dalai Lama said he has distilled his personal beliefs to a simple phrase: "My religion is kindness."
He would not comment directly on the furor aroused in the Muslim world after
recent remarks about Islam by Pope Benedict XVI, but the Dalai Lama warned
against the misuse of religion to foment social divisions.
"Mischievous people often use religious faith for their own interests and
create conflict," he said. "We have to look at the real message of
all these traditions."
