NEW DELHI, Nov 3 (AFP) - The Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, is willing to settle for genuine autonomy for Tibet and negotiate with China if Beijing is ready, his chief representative here said Monday.

"For the present His Holiness is willing to agree to Tibet being a genuinely autonomous region of China," said T.C. Tethong, who heads the New Delhi office of the Dalai Lama.

But Tethong added the Dalai Lama would not be able to give up his demand for full independence for Tibet without the approval of the majority of the six-million Tibetan community.

"His Holiness is not harping on that issue (independence)," Tethong told AFP.

"But it is for Tibetans to decide if independence as an option should be given up. That is the reason His Holiness has called for a referendum. Just one person cannot make that decision.

"As a solution to the present condition, however, the Dalai Lama is willing to let China have control over our foreign policy, limited presence of Chinese in Tibet and remain in association with China," he added.

Tethong's comments came two days after Chinese President Jiang Zemin urged the Dalai Lama, who lives in exile in India, to publicly declare that Tibet was "an inablienable part of China and ... give up (the demand for) Tibetan independence.

"I find it very regrettable that up to now the 14th Dalai Lama has not stopped his separatist activities," Jiang said at Harvard University during a visit to the United States.

Tethong said although these conditions had been made by Beijing for "quite some time, having come from the president in a public forum (they have) more validity.

"We interpret it as the basis of China's policy towards Tibet.

"The condition that Tibet is an inalienable part of China ... This is very historic ... His Holiness has always stated that let us not talk about past history, let history judge by itself.

"His Holiness is more concerned with the basic rights of the Tibetans. Just to save the very identity of the Tibetans and their culture as well as religion, he is willing to come to discussions with China.

"If China is genuine about having a dialogue, if they make a move we are willing to respond positively."

The Dalai Lama fled to India after a failed anti-Chinese uprising in Tibet. He heads a government-in-exile in the northern Indian hill resort of Dharamsala which is not recognised by any country. India is also home to around 100,000 Tibetan exiles.