World Tibet Network News Thursday, April 30, 1998 (II)

NEW YORK, April 29 (Reuters) - The Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, arrived in New York on Wednesday to begin a two-week U.S. visit.

His New York office said that during his tour, he would reiterate his goal of entering into unconditional negotiations with China and state that he is prepared to set aside full sovereignty for Tibet in exchange for self-rule.

China, which has controlled Tibet since 1950, has rejected talks with the Dalai Lama.

The 1989 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who has lived in exile in India since 1959, is visiting the United States as President Bill Clinton prepares for a historic trip to China.

Preparing for Clinton's visit, Secretary of State Madeleine Albright held talks in Beijing on Wednesday and raised U.S. concerns about Tibet along with other issues, U.S. officials said.

The Dalai Lama is scheduled to meet with Chinese dissident Wei Jingsheng in Boston and receive an honorary degree from Brandeis University.

He will deliver the commencement address at Emory University in Atlanta and take part in a seminar on meditation with 20 top U.S. physicians and researchers.

The Dalai Lama is scheduled to address the Wisconsin state legislature in Madison on May 13.

His first public event is a New York ceremony on Thursday evening, also to be attended by actor Richard Gere and director Martin Scorsese, who made his film biography "Kundun."

Scorsese and screenwriter Melissa Mathieson will receive the "Light of Truth" award, honoring people who have contributed to public understanding of the Tibetan people, organizers said.