NEW DELHI, Nov 1 (AFP) - The Dalai Lama's government-in-exile Saturday said the naming of a special coordinator for US policy on Tibet would boost the cause of Tibetan independence.

"The US action reconfirms the American commitment to freedom and support for the non-violent struggle of the Tibetan people," the exiled leadership said in a statement here.

"It will also serve as a morale booster to the six million Tibetans throughout the world," it said.

On Friday, State Department Director of Policy Planning Greg Craig was named Washington's special coordinator for Tibet.

The appointment came as Chinese President Jiang Zemin continues a landmark state visit to the United States.

Craig's role will be to "preserve the unique religious, cultural, and linguistic heritage of Tibet and to promote a substantive dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama or his representatives," the State Department said.

The statement by the Tibetan government-in-exile added: "The appointment, coming (during Jiang) Zemin's visit, is particularly significant.

"It underscores the seriousness of (the) free world's support for the cause of Tibet and sends a strong signal that Beijing cannot simply wish away the problem of Tibet, and that it must resolve the Tibetan issue sooner rather than later."

Washington recognizes Beijing as the sovereign power in Tibet, a Himalayan region annexed by China in the 1950s.

But it has urged dialogue and reconciliation between Chinese authorities and Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

The Dalai Lama has lived in India since fleeing Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule.

His government-in-exile, which is not recognised by any country, is based in the northern Indian hill resort of Dharamsala.

India is also home to around 100,000 Tibetan exiles, many of whom fled their homeland along with the Dalai Lama.