DATE=4/13/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA-JAPAN-DALAI (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261159
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:


INTRO:  The Dalai Lama - Tibet's exiled spiritual 
leader - has arrived in Japan for a week-long visit.  
VOA correspondent Roger Wilkison reports from Beijing, 
that China, which controls Tibet and regards it as 
Chinese territory, has expressed anger that Tokyo has 
allowed him into the country. 


TEXT:  The Dalai Lama is visiting Japan for the first 
time in two years.  He is expected to give lectures on 
Buddhism around Tokyo and attend an environmental 
symposium in the ancient capital of Kyoto.

The Japanese government said Tuesday that it had 
approved the granting of a visa to the 65-year-old 
religious leader despite a protest from China, which 
has been warning that the Dalai Lama's visit will 
undermine Sino-Japanese relations.

Japan's failure to heed those warnings does not sit 
well with Beijing.  Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman 
Sun Yuxi -- speaking through an interpreter at a 
regular news briefing -- says China resents the 
Japanese attitude.

            /////INTERPRETER ACTUALITY/////

In disregard of the representations of the Chinese 
side on many occasions, the Japanese side insisted on 
allowing the Dalai to visit Japan for activities.  We 
hereby express our strong resentment and regret over 
this.

            /////END ACTUALITY/////

The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 with thousands of 
supporters after a failed revolt against Chinese rule.  
From his exile in northern India, he has headed a 
campaign of nonviolent struggle ever since.  Although 
he says he only seeks autonomy for Tibet, China 
maintains he advocates independence for the region.

            /////INTERPRETER ACTUALITY/////

I would like to stress that the Dalai is by no means 
an ordinary religious figure but a political exile 
under religious cover who has long engaged in 
activities to split China.

            /////END ACTUALITY/////

There are signs China's anger over the Dalai Lama's 
visit to Japan has already had some effect.  Japan's 
Jiji Press news agency reports Tokyo's controversial 
nationalist governor Shintaro Ishihara has called off 
a meeting with the Tibetan leader under pressure from 
the central government.  Mr. Ishihara said two months 
ago that he would meet with the Dalai Lama if he came 
to Japan.  But the Dalai Lama's own office in Tokyo 
says no meeting was planned with Mr. Ishihara or any 
other Japanese official.  (signed)

NEB/RW/FC 



13-Apr-2000 06:46 AM EDT (13-Apr-2000 1046 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.