Published by: World Tibet Network News, Sunday, May 26 1996

STOCKHOLM, May 23 (Reuter) - The Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled god-king, said on Thursday that he wanted his Chinese-ruled homeland to become a demilitarised zone.

"Tibet should be a zone of peace, completely demilitarised. That is my dream," he told around 14,000 people at a meeting in Stockholm.

He also said that dialogue with China, which has controlled the Himalayan territory since 1950, represented the only way forward. Beijing accuses him of fomenting Tibetan independence and stirring up anti-Chinese sentiment.

"In spite of the many difficulties and suffering, I believe this conflict will find a mutually agreeable solution through dialogue. I am trying my best to start negotiations," he said.

The Dalai Lama, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his peaceful struggle for an autonomous Tibet, fled into exile in 1959 after an abortive uprising against Chinese rule. He now lives in India.

He met Swedish Foreign Minister Lena Hjelm-Wallen earlier despite protests from China which described the meeting as interference in its internal affairs.

A Foreign Ministry spokesman said the Dalai Lama was received as a Nobel peace prize winner and not as an exiled leader.

Hjelm-Wallen voiced concern over the situation in Tibet and reports of Chinese oppression.

Tensions in Tibet heightened this week after China ordered police to crack down on Tibetan separatists and banned pictures of the Dalai Lama in monastries, temples, schools and homes.