Source: Central News Agency, Taipei, in English 0936 gmt 20 Mar 97

Excerpt from report by Taiwan Central News Agency (via Internet)

Kaohsiung, 20th March: The Tibetan Buddhist leader, the Dalai Lama, is scheduled to arrive at Kaohsiung's Hsiaokang International Airport on Saturday [21st March], the private Chinese Buddhist Association (CBA) announced.

Master Chin Hsin, head of the CBA, said the exiled spiritual leader will make a six-day visit to Taiwan. The visit will be a strictly religious one without any political aims, he added.

"The Dalai Lama is visiting in his capacity as a religious leader, being invited by the CBA, a private association. Therefore the Republic of China government has no part in this affair," he said.

Master Chin Hsin also said the Dalai Lama is scheduled to meet with Buddhists here, conduct two Buddhist rituals in Taoyuan and Kaohsiung County, and exchange views with prominent local religious leaders.

"We [as received] will make one or two speeches and he will visit some temples such as the renowned Fokuangshan, the centre of Buddhism in southern Taiwan," Master Chin Shin said. "He will have no official contacts or activities as far as I know," he added.

Master Chin Hsin explained that he began arranging the trip last September, and received an affirmative answer from the Dalai Lama last week...