China Goes On Offensive In Its Crackdown On Critics

Chengdu, China (AHN) - The Chinese government issued a statement on Sunday decrying criticisms of the crackdown in Tibet, calling United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi "habitually bad tempered," while accusing the Dalai Lama of causing the pro-independence protests in Tibet.

Pelosi, a stern critic of China, visited Tibetan exiled leader Dalai Lama in India on Friday and called the crackdown "a challenge to the conscience of the world."

Beijing claims that more than 20 people have died in the violent protests, while the the Dali Lama's exiled government has said almost 100 people were killed in the violent protests in Tibet in March.

The international community has expressed its concern over the violence in Tibet. The protests have created a public-relation nightmare for China's hosting of the 2008 Olympics in August.

Possible international boycott of the 2008 Olympics have been discussed. However, the European Union and the United States have declared its support to the event.

Thailand's Narisa Chakrabongse, an environmentalist and one of the torchbearers, said in an open letter that she refuses to take part in the relay. "[I would like to] send a strong message to China that the world community could not accept its actions. The slaying of the Tibetans ... is an outright violation of human rights," Chakrabongse said.

Xinhua accused China's critics of wanting to smear China's reputation.