Published by: World Tibet Network News Friday, January 16, 1998

By Elizabeth Hsu

Taipei, Jan. 13 (CNA) The Republic of China government on Tuesday revealed its hopes of enhancing relations with the Tibetan government-in-exile, led by the Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader.

Kao Koong-lian, chairman of the Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission (MTAC) under the Executive Yuan, made the statement during a press conference in Taipei.

Speaking of the MTAC's standpoint of dealing with affairs related to Mongolia and Tibet, the official said his commission is willing to provide every possible aid to any Tibetan in need of a better life, irrespective of which political faction he or she belongs to.

Kao stressed that the MTAC has never discriminated against the groups supporting the India-based Dalai Lama's government-in-exile, which seeks Tibetan autonomy, or the separatists who advocate Tibet's outright independence.

The ROC is committed to the reunification of China, which has been divided and under the rule of two governments.

The ROC government has not previously had official contact with the Dalai Lama's government, but this changed last March when the Dalai Lama stepped onto Taiwan soil in a historic first visit here.

The Tibetan Buddhist god-king who received the Nobel Peace Price in 1989 forged links between Taiwan and his government-in-exile in order to open up relations.

The MTAC chairman pointed out that his commission has expressed its sincere willingness to the "Tibet Religious Foundation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama" to help improve living conditions for Tibetans. The foundation now has offices in the United States, Britain, France, Hungary, Switzerland, Mexico, Australia, Japan, Nepal, India and South Africa, as well as Taiwan.

The chairman also stated MTAC's four major objectives -- to comprehensively promote cultural and trade exchanges between Taiwan and Mongolia, to preserve and promote Tibetan and Mongolian cultures, to conduct research work related to Tibet and Mongolia issues, and to enhance services to domestic and overseas Tibetans and Mongolians.