Situation in Tibet challenge to conscience of the world: US

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Saturday , March 22, 2008 at 0012 hrs Describing the situation in Tibet as a challenge to the “conscience of the world”, speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi on Friday asked all freedom loving people to speak out against China's “oppression”.

Arriving to a rousing welcome here, she said the US Congress will continue to meet the challenge of conscience that Tibet offers.

“Situation in Tibet is a challenge to conscience of the world...the challenge we can help meet,” Pelosi said at a public reception accorded to her in this Hill town of the majestic, snow-capped Dhauladhar mountain range

The Dalai Lama, the head of the Tibetan government-in-exile along with all members of the Tibetan Parliament welcomed Pelosi and the nine members of the US Congress at the main Buddha temple here. Pelosi, who had a meeting with the Dalai Lama, said Tibetan struggle demanded the truth from China on the situation in Lhasa and other adjoining areas.

“We insist that the world know what the truth is in Tibet. “If freedom loving people throughout the world do not speak out against China's oppression in Tibet we have lost all moral authority to speak on Human Rights anywhere in the world,” said Pelosi, the third ranking official of the US.

China, which has voiced its opposition to her meeting with the Dalai Lama, is understood to be closely watching her trip to Dharamshala.

Pelosi was instrumental in the US' decision last year to confer the Dalai Lama with the Congressional Medal, a top US civilian honour.

Meanwhile, China on Friday voiced unhappiness over Pelosi meeting the Dalai Lama, and warned against any meddling in its internal affairs as it asked India and the international community not to be misled by his nice words.

Chinese Embassy in Delhi organised screening of a documentary for media in its bid to prove that the Dalai Lama had masterminded the violence in Lhasa.

Notwithstanding denials by the Dalai Lama, Chinese Ambassador to India Zhang Yan insisted that deeds of the Tibetan leader show he was behind the unrest in Lhasa and that India and others should see through his intentions.

He told reporters that China appreciates the position adopted by India so far and hoped New Delhi would continue to have correct stand with regard to developments in Tibet.