Dalai Lama asks Congress to help initiate talks with China

WASHINGTON - The Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, said Tuesday that he was open to talks with Chinese leaders, and he asked members of Congress to help initiate them.

''Anyplace, anytime, I am willing to meet with China leadership without preconditions,'' the Dalai Lama said.

China opposes autonomy for Tibet and sees the Dalai Lama as a rallying point for pro-independence forces. Officials have refused to meet with him.

The Dalai Lama was invited to Capitol Hill by Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, to discuss his relationship with the U.S. government and the future political status of Tibet.

At the White House, President Clinton joined the Dalai Lama during most of his 40-minute meeting with National Security Adviser Sandy Berger. Clinton expressed support for the Dalai Lama's continuing effort to encourage dialogue with China. The White House said he also underscored the United States' strong support of Tibetans' human rights and their religious and cultural heritage.

''While we have not seen progress up to now, we haven't given up hope. We're going to continue to work hard,'' White House spokesman P.J. Crowley said. ''We continue to press (China) at every high-level opportunity we have, about its importance.''

At the end of the meeting, the Dalai Lama gave the president a hug and the Dalai Lama presented the president with a white scarf called a hada, Crowley said.

Asked about a World Bank proposal to move 58,000 Chinese and Muslims into Tibetan lands, he said, ''Under the present circumstances this would be the source of more problems. Therefore it is not the right time.

''If the opportunity comes, as a Buddhist monk, it is my sole responsibility to help them, to help them.''

The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 with thousands of supporters after a failed revolt against Chinese rule. From his headquarters at Dharmsala, in northern India, he has headed a nonviolent struggle for Tibetan autonomy.

His U.S. trip also will take him to California. He planned to return to Washington for Independence Day weekend to participate in the Smithsonian Institution's Folklife Festival.