World Tibet Network News Friday, June 19, 1998

BEIJING, June 18 (AFP) - Tibet is an integral part of China and Beijing is

not about to open talks with its spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, a foreign ministry spokesman said here Thursday.

"The Dalai Lama is a political exile who engages in activites splitting the country and undermining national unity," spokesman Zhu Bangzao told reporters.

Responding to questions about pro-Tibetan demonstrations last weekend in Washington, Zhu laid out the conditions under which China is prepared to talk with the Dalai Lama.

He must give up secessionist activities, calling for independence and recognise Beijing as the legitimate authority over Tibet before talks could begin, Zhu said.

Demonstrators in Washington called on President Bill Clinton to bring up the subject of Tibet when he meets Chinese leaders after arriving in China next week.

It will be the first visit by a US President since the crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in and around Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989.

The United States recognizes predominantly Buddhist Tibet as a part of Chinese territory but urges Beijing to preserve its unique culture, language and religion.

The Dalai Lama has been living in India since he fled his homeland in 1959 after a failed anti-Chinese uprising, and India is also home to around 100,000 Tibetan exiles.