Published by World Tibet Network News, Saturday - November 25, 1995

Beijing, Nov 25 (AFP) - China has launched another vitriolic attack on Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, and issued an ominous warning of its willingness to use force against pro-Tibetan independence forces.

A front-pace article in the Tibet Daily, seen here Saturday, described the Dalai Lama as a "tool of hostile, anti-China forces in the world," and condemned him for using religion to threaten China's unity.

"The Dalai Lama wants to return to the dark ages, when it was a cruel, feudal and semi-colonial society," said the article, which comes as speculation over Beijing's choice of the reincarnation of Tibetan Buddhism second most important religious leader, the Panchen Lama, is reaching fever pitch.

The Tibetan boy recognised by the Dalai Lama in May as the reincarnation is not included in the shortlist complied by Beijing, which rejected the Dalai Lama's choice as "illegal" and alid."

"The Dalai Lama is only interested in disrupting the work on the Panchen Lama's reincarnation," the newspaper said.

Urging officials at all levels to set up their struggle against the Dalai Lama clique and other separatist forces, the article made it clear that military action would be taken if necessary.

"Victory will be achieved under the guidance of party central committee ... which enjoys the full support of the People's Liberation Army, the People's Armed Police and public security personnel," the newspaper said.

"There is no room for bargaining when it comes to defending national unity," it added.

Chinese troops "liberated" Tibet in 1951 and the Dalai Lama fled into exile eight years later following a failed uprising against Chinese rule.

Since then, numerous demonstrations against Beijing have been ruthlessly suppressed.