Pelosi criticises Chinese policies in Tibet

Dharamshala, March 21: US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the third highest ranking US official, met the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama here on Friday. She criticised China for its policies in Tibet.

Pelosi said it is high time that the international community geared up to work towards the resolution of the Tibetan cause.

She said China was suppressing Tibetans' freedom.

Pelosi played a key role in the US' decision last year to confer the Dalai Lama with the Congressional medal, a top US civilian honour.

China has voiced its opposition to her meeting with the Dalai Lama. Nine other US Congressmen also accompanied her.

Pelosi had a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and PM's Special Envoy on Nuclear and Climate issues Shyam Saran on Thursday.

In her meeting with the PM, Pelosi discussed the time available for the US Congress if the nuclear deal is to be completed during the tenure of the Bush administration. The Tibet unrest is also believed to have figured during her meetings with the Indian leaders.

Earlier on Thursday, the Bush Administration had ruled out the boycott of Beijing Olympics. She said Washington has asked China to use restraint in dealing with protesters, the US also indicated that President George W Bush's plan to attend the games would not be influenced by unrest in Tibet.

The US favoured a dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama towards the resolution of the Tibet problem.

ANI