The Dalai Lama stopped at the Wailing Wall during his visit to Jerusalem, where he promoted religious tolerance RELATED VIDEO CNN's Bill Delaney reports on the Dalai Lama's visit to Jerusalem and his views on world conflicts. Windows Media 28K 80K

June 15, 1999
Web posted at: 7:37 p.m. EDT (2337 GMT)

BONN, Germany (CNN) -- The exiled spiritual leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama, arrived in Germany Tuesday for a nine-day visit to discuss the human rights situation in his native land.

The Dalai Lama was to meet German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer on Wednesday and is scheduled to give lectures and attend a peace concert during his stay.

He expressed hope for re-opening talks with China on greater Tibetan autonomy.

"It would be best for both sides if we achieve real autonomy for Tibet," he told reporters in Bonn. "The current situation is unproductive for both sides. That is why I will continue to look for a mutually acceptable solution."

China condemned the Dalai Lama's visit, accusing the spiritual leader of using the trip to stir up separatist sentiment.

The Dalai Lama "is not an ordinary religious personage, he is an exile engaged in separatist activities undermining national unity," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue.

Engaging in such activities in other countries "is something we have been consistently opposed to," she added.

The Dalai Lama flew to Germany from Israel, where he paid a three-day visit to promote religious tolerance.

The Buddhist leader toured sacred Jewish, Christian and Muslim sites in Jerusalem, including the Wailing Wall, Judaism's holiest place, the Dome of the Rock, where Muslims believe Mohammed ascended into heaven, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where Christians say Jesus was buried.

The Dalai Lama, who won the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize, fled Tibet in 1959 during a failed uprising against Chinese rule but has remained the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists both in exile and in his homeland.

He regularly speaks out against what he calls China's suppression of Tibetan culture. But rather than seeking outright independence for Tibet, he has called for more autonomy for his Himalayan homeland.

Correspondent Bill Delaney and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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