World Tibet Network News Tuesday, March 17th, 1998

BEIJING, March 17 (AFP) - China on Tuesday rejected the Dalai Lama's call for talks on Tibet, accusing the Buddhist spiritual leader of using a pro-autonomy stance to mask his aspirations for independence.

"As to the so-called high autonomy mentioned by the Dalai Lama it is not the first time," foreign affairs ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao said.

"For him the first step is to resume his rule over Tibet. The second step is to realise Tibetan independence. Past events have proved that the Dalai Lama has never given up his attempts for Tibetan independence," he added.

"We hope he will abandon such an attempt and stop any activities aimed at splitting the country and recognise the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China," Zhu said.

"Only under such circumstances can dialogue ever be carried out," he added.

In a message released March 10 to mark the 39th anniversary of the failed 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese occupation, the Dalai Lama called for dialogue with Beijing.

He said he was not seeking independence for Tibet and called on Tibetans to use only peaceful means in their efforts to win greater autonomy.

But the religious leader, in exile in India, accused the Chinese authorities of "cultural genocide" in Tibet.

The Chinese army took control of Tibet in 1951 and the Dalai Lama fled eight years later following the failed uprising.