South China Morning Post - Monday April 21 1997

TOM KORSKI in Beijing

In a hint of growing unrest in Tibet, Chinese authorities are warning Buddhists not to be "bewitched" by notions of ousting Communist rule.

Xinhua (the New China News Agency) yesterday reported religious activities in Tibet had been seriously affected" by appeals for autonomy from the Dalai Lama. It said: "As a result of the Dalai's sabotage, normal religious activities in some monasteries have been seriously affected and the religious atmosphere has been deteriorating.

"Monasteries, monks and nuns, bewitched by the Dalai's separatist speeches and ideas, have engaged at will in political activities for splitting the country."

Authorities refused to elaborate, though Xinhua noted that "illegal and decadent activities" involving Tibetan Buddhists had become "rampant".

The Dalai Lama arrived in the United States for a private visit over the weekend.

The White House has yet to announce whether or not he will meet President Bill Clinton.