Beijing:US Risks Relations by Allowing Dalai Lama visit US

Sep 1, 2003
Beijing: Washington Risks Damaging Relations by Allowing Dalai Lama to Visit U.S.
By Ted Anthony
Associated Press Writer

BEIJING (AP) - A planned visit by the Dalai Lama to the United States could damage relations between Washington and Beijing, China's state-controlled media warned Monday, dismissing the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism as a "political plotter."

"The United States should not confound right from wrong on the Tibet issue and push the Dalai Lama to go along the way of 'Tibet independence'," the state-controlled newspaper China Daily said in a commentary. "The best resolution for the Dalai Lama is to return to the negotiating table with the central government as soon as possible."

Anything less, the commentary added, "will cause damage to Sino-U.S. relations."

The Chinese government says the Dalai Lama is to visit the United States for nearly three weeks beginning Sept. 4.

Beijing views the Dalai Lama as a divisive force in Tibet, which it occupied with military force in 1951. According to the communist leadership, Tibet has been part of China for centuries - a stance disputed by the Dalai Lama, who fled the region in 1959 after a failed uprising against communist rule.

"Exactly why the United States has taken such a high-profile interest in meeting with an exile is worthy of careful consideration," the commentary said. "The Dalai Lama is by no means a purely religious person. He has proven to be a political plotter scheming to separate the Tibet Autonomous Region from China."

China refers to Tibet as an "autonomous region," although it is tightly controlled both by Han Chinese and by ethnic Tibetans who work for the Beijing government.

Informal meetings between representatives from the Dalai Lama's so-called government-in-exile in Dharmsala, India, and Beijing-based government officials have taken place in China in recent months.

Last week, though, Tibet's new governor said the Dalai Lama could come back to Tibet only if he stops political activity and becomes a Chinese citizen.

The commentary was also carried by the government's official Xinhua News Agency and the People's Daily, the ruling Communist Party's official newspaper. Beijing regularly reacts with vehement objections whenever the Dalai Lama tries to claim the international stage.

"History demonstrates the Dalai Lama has repeatedly taken advantage of every opportunity to propagate his separatist activities and try to rally international support for this purpose under the guise of religious expression," the commentary said.

It added: "The Tibet Autonomous Region is an integral part of the Chinese territory, and the United States' granting permission for a visit by this political exile constitutes a serious intervention into China's internal affairs."

his story can be found at: http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAYOF3L2KD.html