WASHINGTON, Aug 30 (Reuter) - The Dalai Lama, exiled spiritual and political leader of Tibet, urged the United States on Wednesday to help prevent the possible "doom" of his Himalayan people under Chinese rule.

In a statement released by the sponsors of a U.S. tour the Dalai Lama is due to make in September, he made clear he would ask the Clinton administration to push Tibet's case with China, which sent the People's Liberation Army there in 1950.

He said the next group of Chinese leaders "could spell doom for my people and cause your people great economic and military hardship." Alternatively, they "could mean new life and hope for Tibet, and the emergence of a stable and peaceful business partner and ally for the United States."

The Dalai Lama, winner of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize, has accused China of sending large numbers of ethnic Chinese settlers in an effort to swamp Tibet's distinctive Buddhist culture.

The Clinton administration, seeking to mend strained ties with Beijing, has not yet said whether President Bill Clinton will meet the Dalai Lama, despite a White House precedent for doing so during the Tibetan's previous three U.S. visits.

"The Dalai Lama will be treated with respect," a State Department official said. "We view him as a great religious and spiritual leader, but specifics (of the welcome) are not yet decided."

Before winding up his tour in Washington, the Dalai Lama will make stops in Atlanta; the North Carolina town of Wingate; Houston and Boston. Wingate is home of Wingate University, where Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jesse Helms, a North Carolina Republican, maintains a depository for his papers.