Dalai Lama laments statues' destruction

The Times of India

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Dharamsala (March 2, 2001): Tibetan leader Dalai Lama has expressed concern on Monday over the Taliban threat to destroy the Bamiyan statues of the Buddha in Afghanistan.

In a statement faxed from Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh he said it was shocking that such incidents were taking place even when there is clear understanding and better harmony amongst the different religious traditions of the world.

The statement said that even though the on-going destruction was for religious purposes, his holiness was of the view that the statues are of historical importance not only to the people of Afghanistan, but to the world at large.

"Finally, as a Buddhist, I think it is unfortunate that these objects of worship have become targets of destruction."