BEIJING, Nov 10: Dampening prospects for a breakthrough on Tibet. China accused the Dalai Lama Tuesday of Insisting on independence for his Himalayan homeland despite claims he wants to compromise. reports AP.

The criticism from the Foreign Ministry and the ruling Communist party's People’s Daily was the latest in a barrage of invective China has launched to counter reports the Dalai Lama was preparing a peace overture to Beijing while on his current trip to the United States.

The Dalai Lama, the spiritual and political leader of Tibet who fled into exile 39 years ago. was due to meet Tuesday in Washington with US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Vice President Al Gore and possibly President Bill Clinton.

Hours before. China's Foreign Ministry warned that

meetings between the Tibetan and US leaders would "seriously hurt the feelings of the Chinese people" and betray US support for what it claimed was the Dalai Lama's goal of separating Tibet from China.

'The Dalai Lama has never repented for his activities in splitting the motherland and advocating Tibetan independence." ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao said at a twice-weekly briefing for reporters.

Noting that Washington recognises Beijing's rule over Tibet. Zhu demanded that US leaders not meet the Dalai Lama "so as not to cause damage to China-US relations."

"We have always opposed foreign interference into China's Internal affairs." the People's Daily, the party's flagship newspaper, said.

In the weeks before the Dalai Lama began his 10-day trip to the United States, aides said he

would make a conciliatory response to Chinese President Jiang Zemin's offer in June to hold talks.

So far. the Dalai Lama has not met China's conditions: that he renounce independence and recognise Tibet as an inseparable part of China and Taiwan as a province of China. On Monday, he described Tibetans as "victims of human rights violations."

The Dalai Lama has presented nothing new this time," People's Daily said. It added that the exiled leader's remarks were designed to whip up International public opinion and proved he was insincere about wanting talks.

People's Daily accused representatives of the Dalal Lama of "circling around the issue of Tibetan independence" In fitful negotiations over the past 20 years.