TIBETAN MONKS MEDIATE IN GYANTSE IN TIBET, 1998-07-01 (photo)

FOR RELEASE WITH CHINA-CLINTON-TIBET - An 18-year-old monk stands by as his peers pour colourful sand onto the floor of the Palkhor Monastery in Gyantse, built over 500 years ago, in a traditional meditation called a mandala. The young monks memorize the intricate patterns, build the three circles in one day and then destroy the artwork. When U.S. President Bill Clinton meets Chinese President Jiang Zemin on June 27, he will have to reconcile Western images of a mystical cloudbound Shangri La with Chinese leaders' staunch views on national unity and human rights. Picture taken 30MAY98. ASW/JIR