Bush opens door to Dalai Lama

The US supports the Dalai Lama's movement for a "free" Tibet

The United States says President Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell will meet Tibet's exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama in the next two days, in meetings that are expected to antagonise China.

The White House said the meetings would be held in recognition of the Dalai Lama as a respected religious figure and Nobel Laureate.

Bush: Tougher stance towards China

He will see Mr Powell later on Tuesday and have a private meeting with President Bush on Wednesday.

Correspondents say Beijing has long argued that the United States should withdraw support from activists such as the Lama who campaign for Tibetan independence.

The meetings will follow the arrival in the US of another Chinese bete noire, Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian, for a high-profile 40 hour visit.

They will discuss our desire to see Tibet maintain its unique religious and cultural identity

White House spokeswoman

"The president looks forward to his meeting with the Dalai Lama," said White House national security spokeswoman Mary Ellen Countryman.

"I presume they will discuss our hopes to see a dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama and our desire to see Tibet maintain its unique religious and cultural identity," she added.

The announcement of the meeting follows the appointment of a new special American co-ordinator for Tibetan affairs - Paula Dobriansky - a move which has angered the Chinese, who say it is interference in its internal affairs.

The former president, Bill Clinton, met the Tibetan leader several times.

The religious leader has been in California

On the Dalai Lama's previous visit to Washington last July, Mr Clinton "dropped in" on him as he met US officials, to avoid angering China with a fully-fledged official engagement.

Since coming to office in January, the Bush administration has chosen to view China as a "competitor" rather than a "strategic partner" like the previous administration.

Mr Dobriansky is the highest ranking appointee so far in her position, which analysts say is a sign that the Bush administration will apply to Tibet the tough line on China-related policies that it has already taken on Taiwan and security issues.

The US has remained a strong supporter of the Dalai Lama's movement and hosts a vociferous activist campaign aimed at forcing China out of Tibet.

The Dalai Lama fled to India after a failed 1959 uprising against Chinese rule.