World Tibet Network News Saturday, May 09, 1998

By Matthew Lewis

WALTHAM, Mass. Saturday May 9 (Reuters) - Two men forced into exile by Beijing met Saturday, drawing strength from one another and finding common ground.

The Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of 6 million Tibetans, met veteran Chinese dissident Wei Jingsheng and a group of China scholars for two hours before addressing a packed auditorium at Brandeis University near Boston.

The Dalai Lama told the audience of more than 8,000 people that he was grateful for the chance to sit down Wei and the others. "They're really showing their sympathy and spiritual solidarity with us," he said.

China invaded the small Himalayan country in 1950 and forced the Dalai Lama and tens of thousands of Tibetans to flee in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule.

Beijing clamped down on Tibetan culture and religion. Carrying a picture of the Dalai Lama is illegal in Tibet.

But speaking first through an interpreter and then in what he called "poor English," the Dalai Lama said, "I'm basically very optimistic...China is in the process of changing very rapidly.

"I am seeking autonomy, not independence, not complete separation from China," the 62-year-old, saffron-robed Nobel Peace Prize winner said. Beijing has refused to renew talks with the Dalai Lama, insisting he wants complete independence.

Earlier this week Wei, who spent almost 18 years in Chinese prisons before being sent into exile last November, told students at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School that he was looking forward to meeting the Dalai Lama.

"We have already had discussions on some issues," Wei said, speaking through an interpreter. "Both sides agree that the most important thing is unity...to strive together for democracy and freedom in China for all people."

"What we will be discussing is how we can collaborate and work together," Wei said.

The 47-year-old dissident has traveled to a dozen countries since being sent into exile two weeks after Chinese President Jiang Zemin returned from a visit to the United States that included a stop at Harvard.