Bush urges Chinese restraint in Tibet

WASHINGTON, March 20 (UPI) -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke to her Chinese counterpart Thursday to reiterate U.S. concerns about the situation in Tibet, the White House said.

The secretary "told the Chinese that we would urge restraint in dealing with (Tibetan) protesters, to restrain from (violence)" and then updated President George Bush of the conversation, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

The United States will keep a "very close eye on what's happening over there," Perino said. "We're concerned about innocent people's safety and well-being, especially because we believe that everyone should have the right to peacefully assemble and express their views."

China has said 13 people died in the rioting as Tibetans protested Chinese rule on the anniversary of their 1959 failed uprising. Tibetan exiles say several times that number were killed. Demonstrations also spread beyond Tibet as well.

Bush considers the Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader, a man of peace while Beijing claims the "Dalai Lama clique" -- the Tibetan government in exile -- incited the demonstrations

"(What) we would urge China to do is to establish a dialogue with him so that they can resolve their dispute peacefully, rather than through violence," Perino said.