Taiwan to invite Dalai Lama

TAIPEI, APRIL, 5. Taiwan's president-elect, Mr. Chen Shui-Bian, defying China's warnings, is to invite the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, Dalai Lama, to attend his inauguration next month, a party official said here today.

``We prepare to invite the Dalai Lama to attend the ceremony,'' on May 20, the official from Mr. Chen's pro- independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) told AFP.

``But it's up to the Dalai Lama to decide if he could come'', said the official who declined to be identified but said he handled foreign affairs issues.

Mr. Chen had promised Tibetan Buddhists in Taiwan that he would invite the Dalai Lama to his inauguration, he said. The announcement the the Dalai Lama would be invited came a day after China had warned against the exiled leader's attendance at the inauguration.

Beijing has vowed to use force against the island if Taipei drags on reunification talks or declares independence.

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Section  : International
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