The riot in Lhasa last Friday caused heavy losses of life and property, and seriously disturbed social order, according to the head of Tibet Autonomous Regional Government.

Thirteen innocent civilians were burned or stabbed to death, Qiangba Puncog, chairman of Tibet Autonomous Regional Government, told a news briefing in Beijing on Monday.

The unrest was "organized" and "premeditated" by the Dalai Lama clique, he said.

Meanwhile, the German government on Monday also spoke explicitly against a boycott of the Beijing Olympic Games in reaction to the situation in Tibet and reiterated its commitment to the one-China policy.

Thomas Steg, spokesman for the German government told a press conference that a boycott of the Beijing Olympics would achieve nothing but only affect the athletes who have been preparing for along time for the games.

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark also said Monday that not to recognize Tibet's independence is the New Zealand government's set position.

Clark was dismissive of an Olympic boycott call, saying she did not think it had international support.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said at a press conference Wednesday in Beijing that it is only a very few anti-China individuals and groups with bias against China who want to politicize the Beijing Olympics, and they cannot represent the international community.

More than 100 state or government leaders across the world have expressed willingness to attend the Beijing Olympics in August.

(Xinhua News Agency March 18, 2008)