World Tibet Network News Friday, April 10, 1998

TOKYO, April 10 (Reuters) - The Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, on Friday implied that there was movement on his eventual return to Tibet, from where he fled almost 40 years ago after an abortive uprising against Chinese rule.

Asked when he would be able to return to Tibet, he remarked as he was leaving a news conference in Tokyo: "Things are changing. That is definite."

He did not elaborate.

The Dalai Lama has lived in India since he was forced into exile in 1959 after a failed rebellion against Chinese rule in his Himalayan homeland.

The 1989 Nobel Peace Prize winner declined to answer questions on political issues during the news conference, his first since arriving in Japan last Friday to attend an international Buddhist conference in Kyoto.

On the topic of whether he thought Buddhism was on the wane in countries where the religion used to flourish, the Dalai Lama said: "It is not exactly that way," but added there was too much emphasis on rituals among adherents rather than true understanding of the concepts behind the religion.

The Dalai Lama declined to give his opinion of the new leadership in China and many other potentially contentious issues during the hour-long briefing.

China had tried to block the Dalai Lama's visit to Japan, fearing he would use the trip to promote independence for Tibet.

Beijing has also been at odds with the exiled leader over the selection of the new Panchem Lama, Tibet's second-highest religious leader.

The Dalai Lama said he did not know the whereabouts of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the eight-year-old he identified as the reincarnated Panchen Lama in 1995.

The boy has not been seen in public since China refused to recognise him and instead installed its own choice.

"There is no information, we don't know," the Dalai Lama said.

He gently rebuked the media for what he said was focusing on the dark side of humanity.

"I feel the media is always picking on some unfortunate things. In that way, sometimes people get the impression that human nature is negative. This is disaster without hope and a good future may not materialise," he said.

"The media should have a long nose, as long as an elephant's nose...you can be a potential check on corruption," he said.