Published by: World Tibet Network News, Tuesday, Mar 12, 1996

Source: PTI news agency, New Delhi, in English 1509 gmt 10 Mar 96

Text of report by the Indian news agency PTI

Dharamsala, 10th March: The Tibetan spiritual and temporal head, the Dalai Lama, on Sunday [10th March] said the issue of Tibet would neither die down nor washed away under any circumstances.

His initiative for a negotiated settlement of the issue had not received any positive response from China, he told Tibetans on the 37th anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising Day.

The situation in Tibet was fast deteriorating due to continued "repression" there, Dalai lama said.

He said the imposition of rival Panchen Lama in utter disregard of Tibetans' sentiments was a glaring example of non-conciliatory approach of China.

Hoping there would be a change for the better in Beijing, the Dalai said the future of his country depended to a great extent on what happens in China.

China would realize the wisdom of resolving the Tibet issue through dialogue, he said, adding a negotiated settlement would have a positive impact on the people of Taiwan and Hong Kong.