US Congress condemns Tibet crackdown, seeks dialogue
WASHINGTON (AFP) — The US House of Representatives and Senate passed resolutions Wednesday condemning China's crackdown on protests in Tibet and urging Beijing to enter into a dialogue directly with the Dalai Lama.
The bipartisan resolutions also called for independent monitors, journalists and medical personnel to be allowed into Tibet, the release of those held for non-violently expressing political views and a halt to Beijing's efforts to enter monasteries in the Himalayan territory.
The Senate "is now on record condemning this violence and urging a process of reconciliation and dialogue," said Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, among those who sponsored the unanimously adopted resolution.
"The Chinese government has long sought acceptance among the ranks of global leaders, but these events are not the actions of a world leader," Republican Senator Gordon Smith said. "The violence must stop."
The resolution in the House, proposed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was adopted by a vote of 413-1.
"It is long past time for Beijing to reassess its failed policy to attack and demonize the Dalai Lama and show the world it can have civilized discussions as a responsible world power," she said.
A fortnight after anti-Chinese riots erupted in Tibet last month, Pelosi flew into Dharamshala, seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile in India, to pay the first high-level call on the Dalai Lama, angering Chinese officials.
Republican House legislator Chris Smith said that the effects of Olympic host China's crackdown "will hang heavily in the Tibetan air for decades.
"Never, since 1959, has the Chinese government's tyranny over Tibet been as cruel and raw as it is right now," he said.
Both Democrats and Republicans agree that the Chinese government "needs to end the violent crackdown on nonviolent Tibetan protesters," said Democratic representative Rush Holt. "Congress is making a strong statement," he said.
Exiled Tibetan leaders say 150 people have died while China insists it has acted with restraint and killed no one, while blaming Tibetan "rioters" for the deaths of 20 people.
The unrest, the worst to hit the Himalayan region in decades, has come at an awkward time for Beijing as it prepares to host the Summer Olympics, attracting the attention of the entire world.
The US leg of the Beijing Olympic torch relay ended Wednesday after a chaotic dash through protests-filled San Francisco.
Relay organizers suddenly took the torch on an alternative, shorter route after protesters blocked parts of the original course.
