U.S. tells China to use restraint in Tibet protests
14 Mar 2008 14:46:07 GMT Source: Reuters
(Adds details, quotes) WASHINGTON, March 14 (Reuters) - The United States told China on Friday to act with restraint when dealing with protesters in Tibet and repeated a call for dialogue with its spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, the State Department said. U.S. ambassador to China, Clark Randt used a meeting with senior Chinese officials in Beijing to voice U.S. concern over violence in Tibet's capital Lhasa, spokesman Sean McCormack said. "He took the opportunity, because of what was going on in Lhasa, to urge restraint on the part of the Chinese officials and Chinese security forces and not resort to use of force in dealing with the protesters," McCormack told reporters. Peaceful street marches by Tibetan Buddhist monks over past days gave way to the biggest demonstrations the remote, Himalayan region has seen in nearly two decades, with anti-riot police patrolling the streets just months before the Beijing Olympics. "Beijing needs to respect Tibetan culture and the multi-ethnic composition of its society. We have consistently urged the Chinese government to engage in a dialogue with the Dalai Lama,"McCormack said. The U.S. embassy in Beijing issued a message urging Americans to defer travel to Tibet but if they were already in Lhasa to seek safe havens in hotels and elsewhere. "All care must be taken to avoid unnecessary movement within the city until the situation is under control," said McCormack, adding there had been no reports of any U.S. casualties. Asked whether human rights issues changed Washington's view of China hosting the Olympic Games, McCormack said he hoped Beijing would "put its best face forward" in the run-up, during and after the summer games. "Our view is unchanged on that ... We view the Olympics as a sporting event," he added. (Reporting by Sue Pleming; editing by Patricia Wilson)
Young Tibetans living in Nepal take part in a candle light protest at Baudha monastery in Kathmandu March 14, 2008. The Tibetan refugees residing in Nepal were showing their solidarity with ...
