Beijing, April 10
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today ruled out "interrupting" the 2008 Olympic torch relay following anti-China protests by Tibetan activists on its route even as the Dalai Lama renewed his support for the games and told China that he was no "demon".

"This scenario is definitely not on the agenda. We are discussing with Beijing Olympics organisers measures to improve the torch relay," IOC president Jacques Rogge said here.

Rogge said the IOC had no plans to "interrupt" or bringing the 2008 Olympic torch directly back to the host city Beijing as the flame continued its longest-ever Olympic run marred by chaos sparked off by protests by Tibetan and human rights activists in London, Paris and San Francisco.

Meanwhile, the Dalai Lama, starting his first foreign trip since unrest broke out in Tibet, said he personally urged the Tibetan community to respect the Olympic torch relay in San Francisco, where heightened security and re-routing prevented some of the chaos witnessed in London and Paris.

"I really feel sad the government there almost demonises me. But it's OK," the Dalai Lama said of China. "I'm just a human being - hopefully not a demon," the 72-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner told reporters in Narita, Japan.

"Some people create (the) impression we are anti-Chinese. So I make an appeal to Chinese brothers and sisters all over the world, particularly in mainland China - firstly we are not anti-Chinese."

"I support the Chinese host for the world game because China is the most populous nation, ancient nation," the Dalai Lama, who is on his way to the United States, said.

US President George W Bush, who has met the Dalai Lama in the past despite Chinese protests, has again asked Beijing to "begin a dialogue" with the Dalai Lama on the Tibet issue.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has also decided not to attend the Olympic opening ceremony scheduled for August 8.

Meanwhile, China today slammed US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other lawmakers for "encouraging" opposition to the Olympic torch relay.

New Delhi: Prime Minister of the Tibetan government- in-exile Samdhong Rinpoche today said the timing of the uprising in Lhasa and the Olympic Games in Beijing was just a co-incidence.

Talking to reporters here, Kalon Tripa (chief of cabinet) of Central Tibetan Administration discarded suggestions that the uprising was planned ahead of the Olympic games to grab international attention. ''It was a co-incidence,'' he said. — Agencies