Mcleodganj (HP): The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama today demanded an international probe into the Chinese crackdown against protesters in Lhasa where Beijing was carrying out a "cultural genocide" but did not oppose the holding of Beijing Olympics in August.

"Some respected international organisations can find out what the situation is in Tibet and what is the cause," the Dalai Lama said in his first press conference here in the wake of the violence in the Tibetan capital since Friday.

Denying China's charge that he was behind the violence, the worst since 1989, the 72-year-old monk said that he was "completely committed" to non-violence and favoured a "middle path" which he said was also supported by some Chinese officials and scholars, whom he did not name.

The Dalai Lama, who offered prayers before talking to the press, said a "cultural genocide" was on in Tibet. At the same time, he said "we want genuine autonomy and not independence (from China)."

On the holding of Olympics, the Dalai Lama said he was not opposed to it. However, he said the international community had the "moral responsibility" to remind Beijing about human rights violations in Tibet and should into the situation there seriously.

Source : PTI