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July 24, 2008 11:56:58 PM CDT

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China Weighs Olympic Invitation for Dalai Lama

Posted May 12, 08 9:41 AM CDT in Sports,  World 

(Newser) – Battered by backlash over the Tibet crackdown, China has proposed inviting the Dalai Lama to the Beijing Olympics. An unnamed top Chinese official called a legislator in Tibet's exiled government to discuss the possibility, Reuters reports. The spiritual leader would consider attending, said the Tibetan lawmaker.

The most significant Tibetan unrest in decades prompted worldwide Olympic protests and frequent Chinese government attacks on the Dalai Lama. "If they want to invite His Holiness to the Olympics, that would be a big change," said the lawmaker. "I'm sure he would consider this."

Source Reuters

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Children hold flags of China and the Beijing Olympics as they cheer a torchbearer during the Olympic Torch Relay in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, China, Wednesday, May 7, 2008.   (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Pro-Tibet protesters show an Olympic mark made of peace signs during an anti-Beijing Olympic rally in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, April 27, 2008.   (AP Photo/ Lee Jin-man)
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, left, prays as the Karmapa, the third highest lama in Tibetan Buddhist hierarchy, looks on during a prayer session in Dharmsala, India, May 3, 2008.   (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, right, leaves after attending a prayer session with leaders of the major sects of Tibetan Buddhism at a temple in Dharamsala, India, May 3, 2008.   (AP Photo/Ashwini Bhatia)
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