China unity at stake in Tibet debate, says Hu

8220;Our conflict with the Dalai clique is not an ethnic problem, not a religious problem, nor a human rights problem,8221; Hu said. 8220;It is a problem of either preserving national unity or splitting the motherland.8221;

Hu, who made his comments in a meeting with visiting Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, also reiterated China8217;s position that it was open to talks with the Dalai Lama, but that Tibet8217;s exiled spiritual leader was blocking the way.

He said China was ready to meet the Dalai Lama provided he desists from trying to 8220;split the motherland8221;, 8220;incite violence8221; and 8220;ruin the Beijing Olympics8221;.

The Dalai Lama, Tibet8217;s exiled spiritual leader, has rejected claims he orchestrated recent anti-Chinese violence and protests, and said he supports the Olympics and opposes a boycott of the Beijing Games.