World Tibet Network News Thursday, April 16, 1998

by Pierre-Antoine Donnet

TOKYO, April 15 (AFP) - The Tibetan spritual leader, the Dalai Lama, hopes to re-open dialogue with the new Chinese government led by the "more open-minded" Prime Minister Zhu Rongji.

"It is too early to make any definite conclusions, but I am absolutely sure things are changing," the Dalai Lama told AFP in a interview granted during an overseas trip earlier this month.

"Even if the new (Chinese) leadership is not really enthusiastic about the idea of change, circumstances are such that it must change. That is what I think," said the 62-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader.

Zhu, a 69-year-old pragmatic economist, became head of the Chinese government in mid-March, succeeding Li Peng whose 10-year tenure included the bloody crackdown on Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protesters in June 1989.

The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in Dharamsala, northern India, since a failed uprising against Chinese rule in Lhassa in 1959.

"I do not know him personally," the Dalai Lama said of Zhu. "But according to the information I have, Zhu Rongji is more open minded.

"I think logically his main interest is the economy, not so much politics or ideology, so naturally, his thinking is broader."

The Tibetan spritual leader renewed his appeal for talks with Chinese authorities about the future of Tibet.

There was "no change" in his proposals for dialogue.

"I am not seeking independence but a genuine autonomy," the Dalai Lama said. "There is no change in my position in spite of the recent hardening of the situation in Tibet."

Tentative steps towards dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama were taken for several years in the early 1980s.

Several of the spritual leader's delegations went to China, including Tibet, to examine the conditions for direct negotiations with Beijing and the eventual return of the Dalai Lama.

The dialogue has since been broken off. Beijing regularly accuses the Dalai Lama of being "a faithful tool of international forces that are hostile to China" and of seeking independence for Tibet.

Asked whether he was still ready to negotiate, the Tibetan spiritual leader said: "I don't see any reason to change," adding that he sees some positive signs of a change in Chinese people's feelings towards Tibet.

"One encouraging sign is that more and more Chinese, albeit yet a small number, writers, singers, intellectuals -- including in China proper -- openly circulate their views or articles about Tibet," he said.

"Although their influence is still limited, this I feel is very encouraging. This is a very positive and healthy development." The spiritual leader praised the international support for Tibet.

"The world opinion and expressions of concern about Tibet is very helpful," the Dalai Lama said.

"In the last one or two years, the world support has been growing and this is encouraging," he added.

"This makes China understand that we will not go away so easily."