Sydney, Australia-Sept. 16-FWN/UPI THE DALAI LAMA, Tibet's spiritual leader, called today for regional autonomy for his country, saying Tibetan-Chinese culture was threatened with extinction under China's repressive rule.

Analysts said the dalai lama's comments, carried today over the government-funded Australian Broadcasting Corp., could further inflame China, which strongly objected to his Australian visit.

The dalai lama said he asked Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer during their "unofficial" meeting Saturday to press Beijing to negotiate over the Tibetan issue.

"I am appealing to the international community with a similar request," he said.

He said his main concern was the preservation of Tibetan-Buddhist culture, which he said "intentionally or unintentionally" was "facing extinction".

With Chinese settlers in Tibet already outnumbering his nation's 6 million Tibetans, "time is running out," he said.

"We need a political solution," he said. The best way to solve the problem was negotiation, and that meant genuine compromise to bring regional autonomy for Tibet, he said.

"The Chinese government is concerned about stability...genuine stability can develop through the heart...through the mind...not under the gun," he said.

"So if you are sensible enough, then the Chinese in their own interests have to solve this problem with constructive policy.

"If there are any positive indications from the Chinese government, I am ready to negotiate without any preconditions, any time, any place," the dalai lama said.

Beijing has warned Australia that any official receptions for the dalai lama would harm relations between the two countries and accused the spiritual leader of trying to split China.

Downer risked a backlash when he ignored the warnings and greeted the dalai lama behind closed doors in a Sydney airport hotel were mpacity as a spiritual leader.

China annexed Tibet in 1950, claiming historic links. The dal tan independence.

Australia's next diplomatic hurdle will come if Prime Minister John Howard agrees to meet him, analysts said.

Howard, who left Australia for Indonesia and Japan today his first Asian visit as prime minister said he was still undecided about a meeting. He returns next Sunday and the dalai lama is scheduled to still be in Australia.

During his 15-day visit, the 14th dalai lama was schedups and preside over a 9-day religious initiating ceremony at the Sydney ShowgrounAustralia, with a population of 18 million, has an estimated 140,000 Buddhih is the nation'cutive News Svc.($)