U.S., Australian Envoys To Visit Tibetan Capital

Washington D.C. (AHN) - The United States and Australian diplomats have joined a Chinese government-approved trip to the Tibetan capital, Lhasa on Friday, the site of anti-China protests over the past several weeks. The U.S. will however continue its efforts to press for access to other parts of Tibet.

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith told Sky News television, "We think there should be transparency. We think there should be scrutiny .There should be dialogue with the Dalai Lama and the human rights of the Tibetan people should be respected.''

Demonstrations in Lhasa began peacefully March 10th on the anniversary of a failed 1959 uprising against Chinese rule. However the situation turned violent after Chinese police used force to stop the rallies.

At least 140 people have been killed in the unrest that has spread from the capital to other Tibetan regions in China, Tibetan exile group says. Beijing authorities say 20 civilians were killed.

China deployed troops in Tibet in 1950 and annexed the region a year later. The Dalai Lama, who fled Tibet in 1959, accuses the government in Beijing of committing ``cultural genocide'' there.

China is the official host of the Olympic Games in Beijing in August but the country has accused the protesters of trying to disrupt the event. The Olympic torch relay is scheduled to pass through Tibet June 19 and 20 and officials in the Chinese-backed regional government say protesters may try to disrupt it.