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Prospects recede of early resumption of Sino-Tibetan dialogue

Prospects of an early resumption of dialogue on the future of Tibet, between representatives of its religious leader Dalai Lama and the Chinese government, appear remote at least for the time being.

An indication to this effect was given by the Dalai Lama after his meeting with President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in Washington yesterday.

Later, talking to the media, the Buddhist leader said he was willing to make commitments sought by China as a condition of renewing official negotiations over the issue, but had postponed the idea because Beijing had declined, through informal channels, to coordinate a mutually acceptable statement.

Chinese President Jiang Zemin, during Clinton's visit to Beijing last June, had promised to consider resumption of formal talks if the Dalai Lama first proclaimed that ''Tibet is an inalienable part of China, that Taiwan is a province of China and that he will end all activities aimed at fomenting Tibetan independence.''

The Dalai Lama said he was willing to make a formal response. But he would like to consult the Chinese government about the substance of his formal response. ''The consultations have so far not materialised so I'm not ready to make a public response.''

An editorial in the People's Daily, a pro-Communist party newspaper, alleged that the Dalai Lama had clandestinely been continuing to seek independence for Tibet and that he was ''just playing tricks'' to manipulate the Western media and hide his ''splitist'' nature.

China also asked the US leaders not to see the Tibetan leader during his current visit to the United States.

Clinton ignored the Chinese advice and met the Dalai Lama for about 30 minutes. However, the administration kept the meet informal. The president just dropped by when the Dalai Lama was meeting first lady Hillary Clinton at the White House.

The Dalai Lama also had separate meetings with Vice President Al Gore and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

Clinton, who expressed support for a new dialogue over Tibet, is likely to raise the issue during a meeting with Jiang at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Malaysia next week.

Later, White house press secretary Joe Lockhart said the president welcomed the Dalai Lama's commitment to non-violence in his efforts to initiate a dialogue with the Chinese government.

He said Clinton reiterated the United States' strong support to the preservation of Tibet's unique religious, cultural, linguistic heritage, and to protection of human rights of 'Tibetans.

Lockhart said they discussed how best to increase the trust between China and Tibet and how best to move forward to establish a dialogue for both sides to resolve issues. ''The president reiterated his deep and abiding interest in Tibet,'' he added.

The Dalai Lama expressed his appreciation for President Clinton's peace efforts concerning Tibet, the Middle East, northern Ireland, and the former Yugoslavia. ''He is really putting energy and time into these problems,'' he added.

Yesterday was the last day of his four-day visit to the US.

In a reply to a question, state department spokesman James Rubin said, ''We do not conduct diplomatic relations with members of the Tibetan government in exile. But we do meet with him (Dalai Lama).''

He, however, said, ''We do not know what the Dalai Lama may have communicated to the Chinese government. It is our role to strongly promote dialogue and urge the Chinese government to engage directly and substantively with the Dalai Lama or his representatives.''

''We've urged dialogue between the Dalai Lama and Chinese authorities. The modalities and substance of any such dialogue are strictly for the Dalai Lama and the Peoples Republic of China to decide themselves,'' he added.

UNI

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