The US House of Representatives has passed a resolution asking China to end its crackdown on non-violent protests in Tibet, release the Tibetans imprisoned in peaceful demonstrations and allow unfettered access to international monitors and journalists there.
The resolution, sponsored by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was adopted by a vote of 413-1.
The resolution cited growing resentment in Tibet against Chinese laws and policies that have 'severely eroded the ability of Tibetans to preserve their distinctive language, culture and religious identity'.
"Most insulting of all is that China insists that the torch go through Tibet. The world should not allow that to happen," Speaker Pelosi said.
A similar Resolution has been introduced in the Senate stressing that opening of further Chinese diplomatic missions in the United States should be contingent on Beijing allowing America to establish an office in Lhasa.
The resolution has to be seen amidst protests worldwide, including in the US, against China's poor human rights record to the staging of the summer Olympic Games in Beijing.
Demonstrations over Tibet have been held along the path of the Olympic torch in Paris, London and in San Francisco and several international leaders have suggested a possible boycott of the opening ceremonies.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Condolezzaa Rice has said that Washington wants to open a consulate in Tibet in order to gain full access to developments there.
"We are looking at the possibility of a consulate in Tibet," Rice told a Senate appropriations subcommittee hearing.
"We pressed for consular access for diplomats into Tibet," she said, adding we had some limited access. Frankly it wasn't good enough.
