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
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