Published by: World Tibet Network News, Thursday, May 2, 1996

Source: Radio Australia external service, Melbourne, in English 0900 gmt 30 Apr 96

Text of report by Radio Australia

China has declared its opposition to a visit to Australia by Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama will spend 15 days in Australia in September, attending Buddhist functions and public meetings, and may meet Australia's new prime minister, John Howard. From Beijing, Camille Funnell reports.

[Funnell] When asked for China's response to his visit, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman declared [that] Beijing opposed any foreign country inviting the Dalai Lama to visit or any government officials of any country meeting the Dalai Lama. The spokesman says Beijing hopes countries that have friendly relations with China won't provide a venue for the Dalai Lama's political activities, which, according to the spokesman, are aimed at splitting China. China, which claims Tibet is part of its territory, maintains [that] the Dalai Lama is not a religious figure, but rather a political person in exile.