Brown meets Dalai Lama but not at office

LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Gordon Brown met the Dalai Lama on Friday, but Tibet activists lamented that the meeting was held at the Lambeth Palace residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury rather than in Brown's office.

Talks covered "the importance of the dialogue between Dalai Lama's representatives and the Chinese authorities and the prime minister's strong commitment to the human rights of the Tibetan people", Brown's Downing Street office said in a statement.

The Dalai Lama, spiritual and political leader of Tibetan Buddhists, has said it was unimportant to him where the meeting took place. But critics said Brown was bowing to pressure from China, which considers the Dalai Lama a separatist.

Brown's spokesman said earlier this month that the venue of the meeting would not add anything of substance. China bristles at any meetings with the Dalai Lama that appear to lend him political legitimacy.

"Many of us feel that your decision not to receive His Holiness at your official residence is perhaps sending a wrong signal -- a sign of bowing to pressure from other forces," Tibetan activist Tsering Passang wrote in a letter to Brown.

He said Brown's two predecessors had met the Dalai Lama in official residences.

Philippa Carrick, head of the Tibet Society, said: "It's disappointing that it took place at Lambeth Palace but still one has got to look at the positive side and the fact is the meeting did take place."

She said she hoped Brown would now use his good relationship with Chinese leaders to lobby for "justice for Tibet".

Representatives of the Dalai Lama, who says he seeks autonomy for Tibet but not independence, are due to meet Chinese officials next month.

During his trip to Britain, the Dalai Lama said he was willing to go to the Olympics in Beijing if the talks yield results. He also praised the Chinese government for its handling of the aftermath of this month's deadly earthquake.