Published by: World Tibet Network News, Thursday, May 23 1996

Source: Rai 1 radio, Rome, in Italian 0600 gmt 21 May 96

Pope John Paul II received the Dalai Lama in the Vatican on 20th May, Italian radio reported. "The meeting, devoted entirely to spiritual issues, was very cordial," the radio said.

During an interview with the radio, the Dalai Lama was asked what the situation in Tibet was like. His reply was: "Very grave. Unfortunately, religious persecution has become more intense, and of course the cultural and political repression of my people has become more serious and stifling. There is now even aggression against Tibet' s very environment, causing ecological damage in which our ancient forests are being destroyed. The situation has become very serious."