Dalai Lama completes Baltic tour in Lithuania

VILNIUS - A sunny evening was perfect for the throngs of well-wishers who greeted His Holiness the Dalai Lama upon his arrival in Vilnius on June 23, where he began a four-day tour of the country.

At a press conference shortly after his arrival, the Tibetan leader expressed his joy over being in the Baltics for a second time. He also clarified the situation in Tibet, which he feels needs dialogue with Chinese authorities in order to be resolved.

"We are not seeking independence, but autonomy and mutual understanding beneficial and acceptable to both sides," he said.

He went on to urge Lithuanians not to be afraid of discussing Tibetan autonomy with China, whenever they get the opportunity. Replying to a question as to whether Lithuania could ever help China and Tibet come to an agreement, the Dalai Lama stressed that he believed continuous support and sympathy would help.

"When you meet with Chinese intellectuals, businessmen or government representatives, always remind them that we don't wish to ruin their priorities of attaining unity and stability," he said.

During a meeting with former Vilnius University rector Rolandas Pavilionis, who is now an MP, he expressed mixed feelings about his return to Lithuania. "I feel as though I have returned, we have joined each other again, and I am very happy. You have rejoiced in your freedom for 10 years already. I am jealous of you, because I can't rejoice in that."

A meeting with a clearly happy President Valdas Adamkus, which took place on June 24, had been in question after the president was admitted to hospital last week with appendicitis.

He also met Vilnius Mayor Arturas Zuokas, but a meeting with Kaunas Mayor Erikas Tamasauskas was canceled because of fears it could harm the sister city relationship between Kaunas and the Chinese city of Xiamen (Amoy).

Tamasauskas left for NATO headquarters in Brussels during the Dalai Lama's visit.

While in the Lithuanian capital, the Dalai Lama spoke to groups of Buddhists and Vilnius University students, and strolled through the unique Uzupis district. On his second full day, the Tibetan spiritual leader gave a speech entitled "Ethics in the New Millennium" to an audience of thousands in Kalnu Park in Vilnius.

"I'm happy to be here," he said. "The surroundings are so nice and so fresh," exclaimed the Dalai Lama. In his address to the crowd, he touched upon many issues about life, people and how people should be. "People are all different. Some breathe air with a disturbed mind, some waste time, some use time constructively and some use time in a destructive manner," he began his speech.

The speech stressed the need for people to be humble, affectionate and seriously concerned about humanity. It was followed by questions from the crowd and a performance by a musician from Mongolia.

He finished his Baltic tour on June 27, when he departed for Verona, Italy.