Published by: World Tibet Network News, Wednesday November 12 1997

NEW DELHI, Nov 12 (AFP) - The Dalai Lama's office Wednesday said it would welcome talks with the new US State Department coordinator for Tibet, Greg Craig, during his visit here next week but added there had been no request for dialogue as yet.

Thupten Sanphel, additional information secretary of the Tibetan government-in-exile, said US officials had not made a formal request for talks between Craig and Tibetan leaders.

"There has been no communication till now. If he wants to meet his Holiness or anybody else, it will of course be arranged," he said.

"We would like to have the Americans convince the Chinese leadership to come to the negotiating table. His Holiness has been repeatedly saying that he would be happy with self-government for Tibetans ... not necessarily independence.

"The special clout that America has around the world can help us."

The Indian government, meanwhile, which gave sanctuary to the Dalai Lama in 1959 but does not recognise his government-in-exile, is maintaining a discreet silence on Craig's new portfolio to avoid criticism from Beijing.

A foreign ministry official said they had been ordered to "keep mum" on issues related to Sino-Indian relations.

India's foreign ministry has said Craig, who will be accompanying US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on a two-day visit beginning November 18, will come in his capacity as State Department director for policy planning.

Chinese authorities have repeatedly asked India, not to allow "anti-Chinese activities" on its territory.

Craig has characterized Chinese rule in Tibet as "repressive," saying Beijing had committed widespread human rights abuses in the territory, including torture and arbitrary arrest.

He has also indicated a desire to visit Tibet.

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 home to around 100,000 Tibetan exiles.