New York, NY, September 18, 2003 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today commended the Dalai Lama for his important statement condemning terrorism and the need to take "countermeasures" including force, to check this "worst kind of violence."

"The Dalai Lama's important statements recognize the need for the international community to take strong action against terrorism," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.  "His comments acknowledge the battle the United States, Israel and other democracies around the world have been forced to engage in against the scourge of terrorism."

In an interview with The New York Times, the Dalai Lama, a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and a leading symbol of nonviolence, said that it might be necessary to fight terrorism through violence and the use of force.  Asked about the U.S. operation in Iraq, he stated: "I feel only history will tell.   Terrorism is the worst kind of violence, so we have to check it, we have to take countermeasures."