April 22, 1997

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Clinton administration on Tuesday welcomed a visit to the White House by the Dalai Lama to discuss religious and human rights issues, but not Tibetan politics, which could anger China.

"We see the Dalai Lama as obviously a person of high moral authority, someone who deserves the respect of many people around the world, and as a religious figure," State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns said. "I don't believe that the discussion will involve ... political issues."

President Clinton plans to stop by when the spiritual leader of the Tibetan Buddhists meets Vice President Al Gore on Wednesday. The Dalai Lama also will visit Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Clinton and Gore met with the Dalai Lama in 1993, 1994 and 1995. Former President Bush also spoke at the White House with the exiled religious leader.

The Dalai Lama, who has been accused by China of using religion as a cover for seeking Tibetan independence, said his goal is to lobby U.S. officials to help lure China to the negotiating table to win Tibet's autonomy.