BEIJING. March 27 (Interfax-AVN) - The actions taken by the Chinese government to stabilize the situation in Tibet are within the law, and allegations that the authorities' actions are were out of proportion have no merit, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang said in a statement commenting on a statement by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner.
"What happened in Tibet was a separatist act of violence carefully planned and deliberately abetted by the Dalai Lama's clique," Qin's statement published on the official web site of the Chinese Foreign Ministry says.
"The Lhasa incident proves again that the Dalai Lama is not simply a religious figure, but a political exile bent on splitting China and undermining stability in the country under the disguise of religion and the banner of peace," the statement says.
"The Chinese government resolutely condemns his separatist activities in other countries in whatever name and his official contacts of whatever form with any other country," the spokesman said.
Commenting on French President Nicolas Sarkozy's statement that he still hasn't ruled out a boycott of the Olympic Games in Beijing, the spokesman said that the focus "must be on the purpose of the Olympics and not politicizing the Games." "We hope to boost mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation with other peoples through the Games," Qin said.