McCain meets Dalai Lama, criticizes Obama

Presumptive Republican presidential candidate John McCain on Friday met Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, and later blasted rival Barack Obama, saying that the Middle East could have plunged into widespread war had Obama had his way in Iraq.

McCain sharpened his criticism as Obama continued his well-received tour of the Middle East and Europe.

The Arizona Republican contended that Obama's opposition to sending more troops to Iraq in the so-called "surge" would have led to humiliating defeat there and in Afghanistan.

McCain laid out a vision of near-apocalypse he said could have occurred had Obama managed to stop the troop build-up ordered by US President George W Bush.

"We rejected the audacity of hopelessness, and we were right," McCain said, a play on the title of Obama's book "The Audacity of Hope." "Above all, America would have been humiliated and weakened," he said.

"Terrorists would have seen our defeat as evidence America lacked the resolve to defeat them. As Iraq descended into chaos, other countries in the Middle East would have come to the aid of their favoured factions, and the entire region, the entire region, might have erupted in war."

Obama has called for a US withdrawal over 16 months. With one exception, Obama has voted for every spending bill for troops at war.

After a 45-minute meeting with the Dalai Lama, McCain said that the Beijing Olympic Games in August provided an opportunity for China to demonstrate it recognizes human rights.

"I urge the Chinese government to release Tibetan political prisoners, account for Tibetans who have quote disappeared since the protests in March and engage in meaningful dialogue in genuine autonomy for Tibet," McCain added.

He also said the Dalai Lama was merely seeking basic rights to preserve Tibetan culture, language and religion.

The Tibetan spiritual leader was in Aspen, Colorado, for a symposium sponsored by The Aspen Institute think tank. The Dalai Lama praised McCain for his concern, but he emphasized that he wasn't endorsing McCain's presidential bid.

"He's showing genuine concern about democracy and human rights and religious freedom, and in China general, and particular in Tibet case," the Dalai Lama said.

The Dalai Lama is seeking support from world leaders for upcoming talks with China once the Olympics are over. He says he wants autonomy, not independence, for Tibet.

China claims Tibet has been a part of its territory for centuries.