Published by World Tibet Network News - Thursday - December 21, 1995

DHARMSALA, India (AP) -- A dispute over the selection of Tibet's second

highest monk has not swayed the Dalai Lama from his offer to negotiate a

settlement with China for Tibet's political future.

But in an interview Wednesday, Tibet's exiled leader accused China of

holding captive the 6-year-old boy whom he has recognized as the Panchen

Lama.

"Perhaps he is the youngest political prisoner," he told Associated Press

Television at his palace in northern India a day after returning from

several weeks of solitary meditation.

"I am really concerned about the poor boy's safety," the Dalai Lama said.

He said he also feared for the lives of the boy's parents and other

Buddhist monks who support him. The boy and his family have not been seen

since July.

The latest conflict with China began last May when the Dalai Lama named the

son of a nomadic herdsman, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, as the reincarnation of

the 10th Panchen Lama, who died in 1989.

Tibetans believe their spiritual leaders can choose how they are reborn,

and can be identified through clues, visions and Buddhist rituals.

China claimed that the Dalai Lama had exceeded his authority.

Chinese-backed monks named another boy as the reborn lama and installed him

this month at the 500-year-old Tashi Lhunpo Lamasery.

The Dalai Lama said the problem over the Panchen Lama had not derailed what

he called his policy of reconciliation with China.

"I am fully committed to the middle approach: not insisting on complete

separation, complete independence from PRC (the People's Republic of

China)," the Dalai Lama said.

Many Tibetans remain loyal to the Dalai Lama, who fled Tibet in 1959 after

a failed anti-Chinese rebellion.

The Dalai Lama and 120,000 Tibetans live in India; nearly 2 million

Tibetans live in Tibet.

"As soon as some positive indication comes from China's side, I am willing

to discuss, to meet with them anywhere, any time, without preconditions,"

the Dalai Lama said.

He has sought an agreement with China that would give Tibetans control over

their daily lives and preserve their culture in exchange for relinquishing

their historical claim to independence.

Responding to reports of demonstrations in Tibet, the Dalai Lama counseled

his followers to control their frustration. "Be calm. That's better," he

said.