With Chinese relations with Britain already frosty after the embassy bombing, the ties were further strained by the Dalai Lama's meeting with Prime Minister Tony Blair this week -- described by officials as "spiritual not political."

The meeting was part of Tibet's latest diplomatic offensive to secure continued backing for its call for autonomy from China, which annexed the Himalayan region some 50 years ago.

The Dalai Lama said that although NATO had started its military action with sound intentions, the conflict was escalating into worsening levels of violence.

Asked whether he agreed with China's call for a halt to the campaign, he told a news conference:

"(NATO's) original intention, purpose was the humanitarian basis. (It was done) out of genuine concern and sympathy for human rights violation on the Kosovo people...to try and stop the ethnic cleansing policy.

"But once you (have) committed violence, the very nature of violence is unpredictable. Once committed, the chain reaction, counter-violence (begins)," he said, swathed in traditional Tibetan gold and maroon robes.

"The counter-violence becomes harder. This is exactly what is happening here. I think it has become a difficult situation. So basically I'm against the use of violence anytime, anywhere."

The Dalai Lama's comments came one day after he held his first private talks with Blair.

The Dalai Lama declined to say whether Blair had offered any assurance he would raise the Tibetans' case during Chinese President Jiang Zemin's visit to Britain, scheduled for October.

He also side-stepped questions on whether the two men had discussed Kosovo. Blair's office also declined to comment.

The Dalai Lama described the meeting as "brief, very happy, very jovial, very good."

He said he had had no contact with China since last year, when the last informal channel of communication closed. Formal talks between China and Tibet ceased in August 1993.

The Dalai Lama has indicated he sees no quick end to the deadlock, but expressed hope that changing attitudes and economic liberalisation in China could lead to Tibet's eventual release from Chinese rule.

In an effort to break the deadlock the Dalai Lama -- viewed by his people as a direct descendant of Buddha -- has moved away from calls for independence or separatism towards autonomy.

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Last updated: 7-May-99