Tibetans 'could increase demands'

The Dalai Lama's "middle way" seeks autonomy but not full independence

In an interview with the BBC, the Dalai Lama has left open the possibility that Tibet's government-in-exile could harden its position towards China.

Up to now, the exiled spiritual leader has followed a "middle way" approach which seeks autonomy but not full independence for the disputed region.

But he now says he will ask Tibetan exiles meeting next month to decide if a new strategy is needed.

Meanwhile two envoys for the Dalai Lama are on their way to Beijing for talks.

Lodi Gyari and Kelsang Gyaltsen will be in Beijing for about a week, said the government-in-exile based in the northern Indian hill town of Dharmsala.

My faith, my trust in Chinese government, now becomes thinner, thinner Dalai Lama

This will be the eighth round of talks on Tibet's future since 2002, and in his interview with the BBC the Dalai Lama repeated comments he made last week suggesting he was losing patience at the lack of progress.

"My faith, my trust in Chinese government, now becomes thinner, thinner. Unfortunately they always say something, doing something different," he said.

When asked whether he was losing hope that talks could bring benefits for his cause, he agreed.

Frustration builds

Many Tibetans are growing increasingly frustrated at the lack of results arising from the Dalai Lama's "middle way" approach, says the BBC's Damian Grammaticas in Delhi.

In March, peaceful demonstrations in Lhasa against Chinese rule exploded into violence, and were followed by a Chinese crackdown in Tibetan areas, in which Tibetans claim dozens were killed.

The Dalai Lama has not given up on his strategy yet, our correspondent says, as shown by the decision to send envoys to engage in new talks in Beijing. Any change of policy would enrage Beijing and is unlikely to happen soon.

But the Dalai Lama - who fled Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule - has now opened the possibility that the policy could change at a meeting of Tibetan exile groups next month.

"Now I hand over direct responsibility to the people, concerned people," he told the BBC.