WASHINGTON, May 10: The Clinton administration has protested against the conviction of senior Tibetan Buddhist monk Chadrel Rinpoche for allegedly plotting to split China and of leaking state secrets.

Commenting on the six-year sentence of Rinpoche, state department spokesman, Nicholas Burns said yesterday that ``The United States is deeply disturbed by this decision''.

He made it a point to note that Rinpoche had been detained for nearly two years before his conviction, ``Apparently, we think, in violation of Chinese law''.

Burns said that under the provisions of the revised criminal procedure law which went into effect on January one, such a lengthy detention period of two years would have required action by the National People's Congress standing committee on a request by the supreme people's prosecutor which did not happen.

He said, ``We would also note that his trial was held in secret, without due process safeguards, which, of course, does not meet internaional standards, any notion of international standards'', he added.

Burns said, ``We were surprised to hear of the conviction, frankly, because the events in question for which he was tried took place many years ago.'' ``We urge China to ensure full exercise of religious freedom, as set forth in its own constitution'', he said.

``We urge China to release all people imprisoned in China simply because they have expressed divergent religious or political views from the Chinese Government,'' he said.

``We urge China to preserve Tibet's unique cultural, linguistic and religious heritage'', he added.

The United States reiterated its call to the Chinese Government to address the continuing concerns of the international community regarding the boy designated by the Dalai Lama as the Panchen Lama.

He said the United States wanted China to allow the boy and his family to receive visitors if they wanted to do so.

``If the boy and his family wish to do so, and that this boy might be able to return to his home in Tibet as a free person and his family as a free family''.

The State department spokesman, said the United States had ``very deep-seated concerns'' over the developments in Tibet, particularly the harassment of people who simply wanted to practice their religion.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.