Premier Wen Jiabao on Tuesday condemned Dalai Lama's role in recent Lhasa riot, but said the door of dialogue remained open to Dalai if he could truly renounce "Tibet independence."

There are ample facts and plenty of evidence to prove that the recent riot in Lhasa was organized, premeditated, masterminded and incited by the Dalai Lama clique, Wen told reporters at a press conference following the conclusion of the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature.

On March 14, violence involving beating, smashing property, looting and arson broke out in Lhasa, which was aimed to undermine the upcoming Beijing Olympics, Wen said.

In the Lhasa incident, violent rioters injured and even killed innocent people on the street with extremely cruel means, smashed out vehicles and public facilities, torched down private houses, stores and schools, he said.

"This incident has seriously disrupted order in Lhasa and inflicted heavy losses of lives and property for the people," he said.

"Local government and competent departments have been in strict keeping with the Constitution and laws, and exercised extreme restraint," he said, adding that the local government has taken proper measures to quiet down the incident and protect the interests of the people in Lhasa and in Tibet.

The constant claims made by the Dalai clique that they pursue no independence but peaceful dialogue are "nothing but lies," said Wen.

He said since the peaceful liberation of and especially the democratic reforms in Tibet, the region has moved forward and become more developed.

"Those claims that the Chinese government is engaged in a so-called 'cultural genocide' are nothing but lies," he said.

Wen said that China appreciated the position and steps taken by the Indian government in handling "Tibet independence" activities masterminded by the Dalai clique.

"The Tibet issue is a very sensitive one in our relations with India," he said.

However, Wen said the door of dialogue still remained open to the Dalai Lama so long as he gives up his position for "Tibet independence," and so long as he recognizes Tibet and Taiwan as inalienable parts of the Chinese territory.

The Chinese government's original proposition is still unchanged, Wen said. "We mean what we say. We need to watch what the Dalai Lama does. It is up to his actions."

He said the Chinese government is fully capable of maintaining stability and order in Tibet, and at the same time will continue to support the economic and social development, improve the livelihood of all ethnic groups, and protect the culture and environment in the region.

"We will never waver in this position," he said.

He said China will consider the possibility of organizing foreign media to visit Lhasa, to let them see on the ground what happened there.

"The situation is basically returning to normal...Lhasa will be reopened to the rest of the world," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 18, 2008)