Tibet situation grim: Dalai Lama

"Tibet today is passing through a very critical period with the very survival of the Tibetan people at stake. The situation in Tibet continues to be grim," the exiled Tibetan leader said attacking Beijing for "eroding the Tibetan people's distinct cultural and spiritual heritage".       

In a letter read out to a conference in Tokyo, the Dalai Lama said that the fresh round of talks that opened yesterday in Beijing "has come at a crucial time."       

The Tibetan government in exile based in Dharamsala has said the envoys of the Dalai Lama will hold talks with Chinese officials for two days, resuming the dialogue which started on May 4 in Shenzen following the deadly riots that broke out in Tibet in March.      

The protests had rattled the Communist party leadership, leading to a massive crackdown which drew international flak.      

The Chinese government, which has remained tightlipped on the talks, however, poured vitriol against the exiled Tibetan leader accusing him of orchestrating the protests in Tibet "with the support and instigation of hostile western forces".       

"The March 14 incident was planned for a long time by the Dalai clique with the support and instigation of hostile western forces," Zhang Qingli, Tibet's hardline Communist Party boss said.