Dalai Lama open letter 'a total lie'

The Dalai Lama must stop immediately all separatist and sabotage activities if he wants to initiate talks, a government official said yesterday.

"Although the Dalai Lama has kept saying he wants to contact and consult with the central government, he has also been creating social chaos and disturbing the Beijing Olympics, which is heartily anticipated by people and athletes around the world.

"This has severely undermined the foundation for any talks," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said.