China's state media has not mentioned the planned meeting, the first since unrest erupted across Tibet in March. But official newspapers continued their bitter criticism of the Dalai Lama and his supporters, suggesting that the government will not be in a mood to compromise.

"Patriotic people of Tibet strongly condemn and vehemently denounce the litany of crimes committed by the Fourteenth Dalai Lama and his followers," said the official Tibet Daily, according to the region's official news Website (www.chinatibetnews.com).

The Tibetan government-in-exile in India said two senior envoys were travelling on Saturday to China via Hong Hong to discuss the Tibetan riots and protests that have shaken Beijing's preparations for the Beijing Olympics and stoked Western criticism of a security crackdown in the restive mountain region.

"They are travelling to a city in China from Hong Kong today," said government-in-exile spokesman Thubten Samphel, adding that he did not know where the talks would be held.

The Olympic torch's world tour has been dogged by protests over China's rule in Tibet that have angered Beijing and provoked counter-rallies both at home and abroad by patriotic Chinese.

China proposed the talks last week after Western governments urged it to open new dialogue with the exiled Buddhist leader, who says he wants a high level of autonomy and religious freedom for his homeland, which he fled in 1959.

Beijing's silence over the meeting may reflect sensitivity over inflamed public opinion.

"You risk losing your credibility with both sides with talks at this time," said Shi Yinhong, a professor at Renmin University in Beijing. "The talks expose the government to criticism that it's being too soft."

'BOUT OF MADNESS'

The Tibet Daily repeated charges that the Dalai's 'clique' orchestrated deadly riots on March 14 in the regional capital, Lhasa, to wreck preparations for August's Beijing Olympics.

"The Dalai clique's hopes of achieving Tibetan independence are increasingly dim, and at this time when their hopes have been destroyed, the Dalai clique launched a bloody violent event -- their last bout of madness," said the paper.

The overseas edition of the People's Daily, the official paper of China's ruling Communist Party, said in a commentary on Saturday that the Dalai's claims that Tibetans lack religious freedom was a figleaf for seeking the region's independence.

"The religion issue is merely a card played by the Dalai clique to garner sympathy from some people," it said.

The Dalai Lama has said he objects to violence and supports the Beijing Olympics. China says he is insincere.

China says the rioting in Lhasa in March killed 18 'innocent civilians' and a police officer. It has not clearly specified how many, if any, rioters or protesters have died but says troops used maximum restraint and avoided using lethal weapons.

Exiled groups claim many more Tibetans have died in the crackdown. The Tibetan government-in-exile estimated this week that 203 Tibetans may have died in the unrest since March 10.

The envoys heading for China for what the Tibetan side called 'informal talks' are Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari and Kelsang Gyaltsen, both senior and experienced Dalai representatives, experts say.

There have been six rounds of dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama's envoys since 2002 with no breakthrough.

Master Hsing Yun, one of Taiwan's most influential Buddhist monks, said on Friday that China should seek to turn the Dalai Lama 'from an enemy into a friend'. He also called for 'mutual respect and tolerance' between China and the Dalai Lama.