Source: PTI news agency, New Delhi, in English 1636 gmt 3 Nov 97

Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh), 3rd November: The Tibetan government in exile on Monday [3rd November] said it was ready for talks with China anywhere and anytime but without any preconditions.

Reacting to the conditions for talks laid down by the Chinese president, Jiang Zemin, during his recent visit to the United States, the additional secretary in the department of information and international relations, Thupten Samphel, said: "The talks should be held without any preconditions" .

Replying to queries on this issue, Samphel said though there was nothing new in the statement of the top Chinese leader, the implication of his statement would be studied in depth. He said: "The Dalai Lama was ready for talks anywhere and anytime but without any preconditions."

The Chinese president had said the talks with the Tibetan spiritual leader could be held only if he declared Tibet as an inalienable part of China, abandoned the demand for independence of Tibet and stopped all activities aimed at splitting the country and it was noteworthy that such a statement had come for the first time from the top party leader.

Thupten said it was historical fact that Tibet was an independent country before Chinese occupation in 1958 and such preconditions were unwarranted when the Dalai Lama had already given up the demand for total independence.