US House speaker meets Dalai Lama, supports Tibetan cause to 0401292790 available (Roundup)

Mar 21, 2008, 11:31 GMT

New Delhi - A top US official met the Dalai Lama Friday in India and expressed support for the Tibetan cause, saying freedom-loving people all over the world needed to speak out against China's actions in Tibet.

Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the US House of Representatives, also demanded an 'independent, outside inquiry' to check the veracity of Chinese claims that the Dalai Lama was behind the violence in Tibet.

'The situation in Tibet is a challenge to the conscience of the world,' Pelosi said while addressing a gathering of more than 1,000 Tibetans in the northern Indian hill town of Dharamsala, seat of the Dalai Lama-led Tibetan government in exile.

'We recognize the courage of the Tibetan people,' Pelosi, a Democrat, said. 'I hope we can help.'

In her brief speech shown on Indian television, Pelosi said: 'Speaking for myself, if freedom-loving people throughout the world do not speak for Tibet, speak out against Chinese oppression in China and Tibet, we have lost all moral authority to talk on human rights anywhere in the world.'

Reacting to Pelosi's meeting, China's Ambassador to India Zhang Yan said in Delhi: 'We oppose any country, any organization, any person to interfere in China's internal affairs,' PTI reported. He said no one should 'take any irresponsible step or say irresponsible words' on happenings in Tibet.

Zhang said the international community should not be misled by the Dalai Lama's 'nice words' and should 'see through his intentions.'

Pelosi's meeting with the Dalai Lama - part of a five-day visit to India - was fixed before deadly violence broke out in Tibet this month after the 49th anniversary of the failed Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule.

Pelosi, who was accompanied by a nine-member congressional delegation, has always been vocal in her support for the Tibetan cause and was instrumental in the US decision to award the Dalai Lama the Congressional Medal, the United States' top civilian honour, last year.

Hundreds of Tibetans gathered outside the Dalai Lama's residence to greet Pelosi, NDTV reported. They waved flags and posters saying, 'Thank you for your support.'