| Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, is due to | | | | purpose of the Tibetan spiritual leader's U.S. visit. |
| start a high-profile visit to Washington Monday, once | | | | "In fact, when his Holiness comes here, I can tell you his |
| again throwing the spotlight on the plight of his | | | | message will be not one of talking about splitting China, |
| homeland, a region inside Chinese territory. The Dalai | | | | nor about criticizing China," said Mr. Gyari. "In fact, he will |
| Lama's trip comes as diplomatic talks between his | | | | be here with the simple message, saying he wants to |
| representatives and the Chinese government have | | | | reach out to the Chinese. He wants to be someone |
| stalled. | | | | who can help stabilize China." |
| Whenever the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism, the | | | | The Dalai Lama is not calling for Tibetan independence; |
| Dalai Lama, makes news headlines abroad, Beijing | | | | rather, he urges China to grant Tibet greater autonomy |
| objects. Chinese Embassy spokesman Chu Maoming | | | | and respect Tibetan culture and religion. The Tibetan |
| emphasized that this position has not changed. "The | | | | envoy acknowledged that, although the Dalai Lama's |
| 14th Dalai Lama is not a pure religious figure. He is a | | | | trip will anger the Chinese government, he believes it |
| political fugitive," said the spokesman. | | | | will also have what he described as an important |
| The Dalai Lama fled Tibet after a failed uprising in 1959. | | | | effect on the world stage. |
| He lives in India, and was awarded the Nobel Peace | | | | "Because [the Chinese] see this all as a conspiracy. |
| prize in 1989. | | | | They see all this as if he is here just to embarrass |
| The Chinese spokesman accused the 70-year-old | | | | them," said Mr. Gyari. "But having said that, I think the |
| Nobel laureate of trying to increase international | | | | Chinese leaders are much more responsive to |
| support for an independent Tibet, and he urged | | | | international concern. I do not want to use the word |
| countries around the world not to host the Tibetan | | | | pressure, (but just) international concern." |
| leader. | | | | During the Dalai Lama's trip to Washington, he will meet |
| "The Chinese government opposes any political | | | | with Congressional leaders. He also is expected to |
| activities of the Dalai Lama, in any country, aimed at | | | | meet with President Bush. The U.S. leader previously |
| separating China and undermining national unity," he | | | | has met the Dalai Lama twice at the White House, in |
| said. "The Chinese government also opposes any | | | | 2001 and 2003. |
| invitation extended to, or meeting with, the Dalai Lama, | | | | On less worldly matters, the Tibetan leader will be a |
| by official figures of any country, in whatever names | | | | featured speaker at a conference to discuss the |
| or forms." | | | | science and clinical applications of meditation and, in a |
| The Dalai Lama arrives Monday in Washington for a | | | | separate appearance, at the annual meeting of the |
| 10-day visit. His special envoy, Lodi Gyari, said he | | | | Society for Neuroscience. He also will present a public |
| believes Beijing has the wrong impression of the | | | | talk, titled "Global Peace Through Compassion. |