The Communist Party of China (CPC), in a five-point statement made public for the first time on the possible return of the Dalai Lama, has extended a welcome to the Tibetan religious leader and pledged that he would receive the same political status and living conditions he enjoyed before his exile in 1959.

Yang Jingren, head of the CPC's United Front Work Department, on Nov. 27 told a three-member delegation sent by the Dalai Lama that he is welcome to come back for a visit next year or resettle in China at any time.

The Dalai Lama, one of the two religious leaders of Lamaism, went into exile in India in 1959 after a group of Tibetan serf-owners sparked an unsuccessful armed rebellion. Prior to his departure, the Dalai Lama was vice-chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) and was respected as a religious leader.

The Dalai Lama's three representatives Thupten Namgyal Juchen, Phuntsok Tashi Takla and Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari, arrived on Oct. 21 from India. They had been visiting Shanghai, Tianjin and other cities.

Yang noted that the Dalai Lama had on many occasions expressed his wish to come back for a visit. This time he conveyed his wish explicitly to the central government through the three representatives. "This is to be welcomed," Yang said.

The Dalai Lama had expressed his wish to improve relations with the central authorities and to live with the one billion people of China. He thought that the present policies of the central authorities were wise and that the principal leaders of China were trustworthy.

"We appreciate all this." Yang said.

Yang said the central government has pursued a prudent and measured policy in Tibet since liberation. While "Leftist" ideas had some impact on Tibet in 1959,that was not the real reason why the Dalai Lama went into exile.

Two decades and more have passed and there is no need to quibble over that event. Yang said. "Let bygones be bygones." he added.

Yang told the representatives that leaders in the central government had stated many times that the Dalai Lama would be welcome whether he returned for a visit or to resettle. There will be no objections if he chose to remain abroad for a few more years to watch now things develop.

Yang quoted Party General Secretary Hu Yaobang as saying that after the Dalai Lama returns, "the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party will recommend that he be elected as a NPC vice-chairman, and, in consultation with other parties that he be elected a vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Yang recalled (hat when Hu Yaobang met the Dalai Lama's elder brother Gyalo Thondup in 1981, he had put forward five points:

The Dalai Lama should be confident that China has entered a new stage of long-term political stability, steady economic growth and mutual help among all nationalities.

The Dalai Lama and his representatives should be frank and sincere with the central government, not beat around the bush. There should be no more quibbling over the events in 1959.

The central authorities sincerely welcome the Dalai Lama and his followers to come back to live. This is based on the hope that they will contribute to upholding China's unity and promoting solidarity between the Han and Tibetan nationalities, and among all nationalities, and the modernization programme.

The Dalai Lama will enjoy the same political status and living conditions as he had before 1959.It is suggested that he not go to live in Tibet or hold local posts there. Of course, he may go back to Tibet from time to time. His followers need not worry about their jobs and living conditions. These will only be better than before.

When the Dalai Lama wishes to come back, he can issue a brief statement to the press. It is up to him to decide what he would like to say in the statement.

Yang pointed out that while the Dalai Lama expresses his wish of improving relations with the central authorities, some of his followers carry out activities advocating Tibetan independence.

"It will never do for anyone to play with the idea of an independent Tibet or to restore the serf system," Yang stressed. "Tibetan people, as well as all other nationalities, will never agree to this at any time, under any circumstances."

(This article appears on page 9, No. 49, 1984)