By Arun Kumar
Washington, Oct 9 (IANS) The Dalai Lama has said that an opportunity for President Barack Obama to raise the Tibet issue with Chinese leader Hu Jintao without alienating Beijing was more important than his own visit to the White House.

“(A) more serious discussion is better than just a picture,” he told CNN in an interview aired Thursday.

“… I have no disappointment,” he said, on the decision to postpone a personal meeting with Obama until after next month’s presidential visit to China.

“(Obama) already… indicated that he is going to speak with the Chinese. And it seems that he possibly (will be) seriously engaging with the Chinese about the Tibet issue”, among other issues like global warming, he said.

“Sometimes, you see, a little tough stand also helpful.” But, he added, a “more conciliatory sort of attitude” is “sometimes… more helpful. So, this time… I do not want to create any inconvenience to anybody”, and wish “to avoid embarrassment to the Chinese president”.

“I feel that it is better in some cases not just to show a picture of a meeting. I think a more serious discussion is better than just a picture,” he said.

The Dalai Lama, who was in contact with Obama both during and after the presidential campaign, said Thursday his White House visit may not take place until the end of this year or the beginning of 2010 because of scheduling issues on his part.

Some critics are accusing Obama of kowtowing to China by declining to meet the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet during his current visit. Obama is the first US president in almost two decades who won’t meet with the Dalai Lama while he’s here in Washington.

The Dalai Lama said he understands why the president put off the meeting with him until after the president visits China in November.

The president, he said, has expressed sympathy for his cause of human rights in Tibet and autonomy for the people of Tibet, and he doesn’t want to embarrass the new president of the US.

“So, at this time, firstly, I do not want to create any inconvenience to anybody,” the Dalai Lama said.

“Secondly… Obama, before his election, he telephoned me. And, then, afterwards, I have some correspondence with him. So, he seems very, very sort of not only sympathetic, but he really want something practical level to do something.”