BEIJING, Oct 11, SPA -- China lashed out at the U.S. Congress onThursday over plans to award its highest civilian honor tothe Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan Buddhist leader whoBeijing reviles as a separatist, reported ap. «China resolutely opposes the U.S. Congress awarding theDalai its so-called Congressional Gold Medal, and firmlyopposes any country or any person using the Dalai issue tointerfere in China's internal affairs,» Foreign Ministryspokesman Liu Jianchao said at a regularly scheduled newsconference. Liu said China had «presented a representation» toWashington over Congress' move, but gave no details. Congress was to award the prize this month. The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Sept. 13 tobestow the award on the Dalai Lama, winner of the 1989Nobel Peace Prize, citing his «many enduring andoutstanding contributions to peace, nonviolence, humanrights, and religious understanding.» --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/489736