US senators ask Bush to visit Tibet during Olympics
US senators have asked President Bush to visit Tibet when he travels to China for the Olympics to back Washington's push for human rights.
By Agencies |
WASHINGTON: Several US senators asked President George W Bush today to visit Tibet when he travels to China for the Olympics to back Washington's push for human rights in the Himalayan territory.
Bush is going to the Olympics in August although it is not certain if he will attend the opening ceremony, which lawmakers and human rights groups want him to boycott over China's recent crackdown in Tibet and human rights record.
Senior Democratic Senators Joseph Biden, John Kerry and Barbara Boxer and Republican Senator Olympia Snowe sent a letter to Bush today, calling for his administration to take specific actions to help resolve the crisis in Tibet, including making a presidential visit to Tibet during the Olympics.
They also wanted him to press Beijing to open a US consulate in Tibet's capital Lhasa and expand access to the region for international humanitarian officials and journalists.
"First and foremost, we ask that you make preparations to visit the Tibetan Autonomous Region or other Tibetan areas when you travel to China this summer for the Olympic Games," they said in the letter.
"This would allow you to demonstrate support for American athletes as you also send a strong message of respect for the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people."
Bush is going to the Olympics in August although it is not certain if he will attend the opening ceremony, which lawmakers and human rights groups want him to boycott over China's recent crackdown in Tibet and human rights record.
Senior Democratic Senators Joseph Biden, John Kerry and Barbara Boxer and Republican Senator Olympia Snowe sent a letter to Bush today, calling for his administration to take specific actions to help resolve the crisis in Tibet, including making a presidential visit to Tibet during the Olympics.
They also wanted him to press Beijing to open a US consulate in Tibet's capital Lhasa and expand access to the region for international humanitarian officials and journalists.
"First and foremost, we ask that you make preparations to visit the Tibetan Autonomous Region or other Tibetan areas when you travel to China this summer for the Olympic Games," they said in the letter.
"This would allow you to demonstrate support for American athletes as you also send a strong message of respect for the fundamental human rights of the Tibetan people."
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