Washington: More than 25 US Senators urged China to end the crisis in Tibet peacefully, in a letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao, they said in a statement today.

"The letter urges President Hu to respect the human rights of the Tibetan people and to promote a peaceful resolution of the current crisis through direct talks between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama," the statement said.

"A mutually respectful dialogue between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama can restore peace and stability and begin to address the legitimate grievances of the Tibetan people that fueled the recent unrest," said Senator Joseph Biden.

"I cannot imagine a more powerful symbol of the motto of the Beijing Olympics, One World, One Dream , than to have President Hu Jin-tao and the Dalai Lama jointly attend the opening ceremony of the games, united in their commitment to promote genuine reconciliation on the Tibetan plateau."

Exiled Tibetan leaders say 135 to 140 people have died in the Chinese crackdown on demonstrations in Tibet. China insists it has acted with restraint and killed no one, while blaming Tibetan rioters for the deaths of 20 people.

US President George W. Bush has said he intends to be at the August 8 opening of the Beijing Olympics.
Source : PTI