Published by: World Tibet Network News Sunday, September 21, 1997

DECCAN HERALD, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1997

Beijing, Sept 18 (PTI) China has said that it would welcome exiled Tibetan religious leader Dalai Lama back to Tibet if he renounces his pursuit for Tibetan independence.

"As long as Dalai Lama abandons the stance of seeking Tibet's independence, and does not become involved in activities aimed at aplitting the motherland, we welcome him to end his exile and return to the motherland.." Raidi, Executive Secretary of the Communist Party Committee of the Tibetan Autonomous Region said yesterday.

Addressing a press conference at the on-going 15th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) here, Tibet's top official reaffirmed that China's attitude towards the Dalai Lama remained unchanged.

He, however, expressed concern over recent contacts between the Dalai Lama and Taiwanese authorities and Taipei's permission to Dalai Lama to open a representative office there. Discussing the "Culture Office" set up by Lama in Taiwan, officials warned Taiwan to keep a watch on it to ensure that it was not used to sabotage national unification.