Dalai Lama will visit White House, but will not discuss politics

The Clinton administration has welcomed a visit to the White House by the Dalai Lama to discuss religious and human rights issues, but not Tibetan politics, which could anger China.

''We see the Dalai Lama as obviously a person of high moral authority, someone who deserves the respect of many people around the world, and as a religious figure,'' state department spokesman Nicholas Burns said. ''I don't believe that the discussion will involve ... political issues.''

President Clinton plans to drop by when the spiritual leader of the Tibetan Buddhists meets Vice-President Al Gore on Wednesday, a day before he is scheduled to visit Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Clinton also dropped by to see the Dalai Lama with Gore in 1993, 1994 and 1995. Former US president Bush also met him at the White House.

The Dalai Lama, who has been accused by China of using religion as a cover for seeking Tibetan independence, also plans to meet American law-makers, including the Congressional human rights caucus, during his four-day stay in Washington.

Besides talking about religious freedom, the Dalai Lama said his goal ultimately is to lobby US officials to help lure China to the negotiating table to win Tibet's autonomy, but not full independence.

''My message is, please help us to bring China to the negotiating table,'' he said on Tuesday in an interview on PBS's The Newshour with Jim Lehrer. ''I'm seeking genuine self-rule.''

In Beijing, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry objected mildly on Tuesday to the scheduled meeting between Clinton and the Dalai Lama.

''Washington will be conniving with and supporting the Dalai Lama's activities to split the motherland,'' ministry spokesman Cui Tiankai said. ''It will be interfering in China's affairs, and we resolutely oppose this.''

In the past, China has threatened economic sanctions against countries that accepted visits by the Dalai Lama, including Australia last year.

China has stepped up its criticism of the Dalai Lama since he renewed an appeal last month for talks on giving Tibet autonomy.

In the latest attack, the state-run Xinhua news agency accused the Dalai Lama of being a ''willing tool of Western anti-China forces'' trying to divide China and contain its rise as a major power.

At the state department, Burns said China should not worry because America maintains official ties with only mainland China, not Tibet or Taiwan.

''We have a relationship with the People's Republic of China,'' Burns said. ''We have a one-China policy. We respect the territorial integrity of the borders of China. And it's not for the United States to comment on issues of political autonomy within China.''

At the same time, Burns said the United States is also interested in urging talks between China and Tibet. And, he added, the United States has the right to criticise China's human rights record, including repressive policies against Tibet and Buddhists.