Source: Central News Agency, Taipei, in English 1448 gmt 19 Sep 96

Taipei, 19th September: The Presidential Office said Thursday [19th September] that it would welcome the Dalai Lama to visit the Republic of China [ROC] on Taiwan as a religious leader.

The Presidential Office was responding to a CNA report from Canberra that the Tibetan spiritual leader had expressed his desire to visit Taiwan by the end of this year or early next year.

An official with the office who asked not to be named said that the Dalai Lama has several times in the past expressed his hope to visit Taiwan.

He said the ROC government welcomes the Dalai Lama to come here at a proper time in his capacity as a Tibetan religious leader.

Saying details for the visit have to be handled by the Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission, the official suggested that it would be appropriate for a civilian group to host the trip.

In an exclusive interview with the CNA correspondent in Canberra, the Dalai Lama also revealed that he has traded correspondence with ROC President Li Teng-hui.

The official said the Dalai Lama sent a congratulatory message to Li upon his election as the first popularly elected president of the ROC on 23rd March.

Li responded by asking a related government agency to write the Dalai Lama to extend his appreciation, the official said.