"The atmosphere of deep distrust between Tibetans and Chinese must be overcome," the Dalai Lama said in a statement from Dharamshala, the northern Indian hill station to which he and thousands of Buddhist followers fled four decades ago.

"This distrust will not go away in a day. It will dissipate only through face-to-face meetings and sincere dialogues," the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize winner said.

Beijing lashed out at a figure it has dubbed as a "splittist" and "loyal tool" of anti-China forces on the eve of the anniversary, insisting he was afraid to negotiate.

"Sometimes he says he is willing to negotiate, sometimes he says he is not willing, top Tibet official Raidi (Eds: one name) told a news conference in Beijing. "He has two faces."

The Dalai Lama said he had communicated his desire for consultation to Chinese President Jiang Zemin last year, but there had been no positive response.

"Late last autumn, without any obvious reason, there was a noticeable hardening of the Chinese position on dialogue and their attitude towards me," he said. "This abrupt change was accompanied by a new round of intensified repression in Tibet."

"I feel that the Chinese leadership is sometimes hindered by its own suspicions so that it is unable to appreciate sincere initiatives from my side, either on the overall solution to the Tibetan problem or any other problem."

The Dalai Lama stressed that he was not seeking independence for Tibet.

He said he favoured a "middle way approach" of negotiations for autonomy under Chinese rule which could preserve and promote the Tibetan people's cultural, religious and linguistic integrity, as well as their socio-economic development.

"A just and fair solution to the issue of Tibet will enable me to give full assurance that I will use my moral authority to persuade the Tibetans not to seek separation," he said.

Expressing gratitude to supporters of his cause, the Dalai Lama singled out U.S. President Bill Clinton and his administration for encouraging Beijing to engage in dialogue.

Jiang surprised Beijing critics in June last year during a Clinton visit to China by offering talks with the Dalai Lama, but on condition that he recognise Tibet and Taiwan as parts of China.

The Dalai Lama said that repression can control human beings physically, but only "reason, fairness and justice" can win over the human mind and heart.

"What is required is the political will, courage and vision to tackle the root cause of the problem and resolve it once and for all to the satisfaction and benefit of the concerned people."

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Last updated: 10-Mar-99