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Monks disrupt Tibet media visit Monks disrupt Tibet media visit
(40 minutes later)
Tibetan monks have disrupted a tour by the first foreign journalists to visit Lhasa since protests erupted two weeks ago, witnesses at the scene said. Tibetan monks have disrupted a tour by the first foreign journalists invited by China to visit Lhasa since protests erupted two weeks ago, witnesses say.
About 30 monks shouted pro-Tibetan slogans and defended the Dalai Lama as journalists toured the Jokhang Temple, an Associated Press AP reporter said. About 30 monks shouted pro-Tibetan slogans and defended the Dalai Lama as journalists toured the Jokhang Temple, an Associated Press reporter said.
China has accused the Dalai Lama of masterminding the protests.China has accused the Dalai Lama of masterminding the protests.
But on Wednesday, US President George W Bush urged Beijing to begin dialogue with Tibet's exiled spiritual leader. But US President George W Bush has urged Beijing to begin dialogue with Tibet's exiled spiritual leader.
In a telephone conversation with counterpart Hu Jintao, Mr Bush raised concerns over the situation in Tibet and urged Beijing to ease access to the region for journalists and diplomats.In a telephone conversation with counterpart Hu Jintao, Mr Bush raised concerns over the situation in Tibet and urged Beijing to ease access to the region for journalists and diplomats.
The protests began on 10 March and developed into violent rioting in Lhasa before spreading to neighbouring regions.The protests began on 10 March and developed into violent rioting in Lhasa before spreading to neighbouring regions.
China says 19 people were killed by rioters. The Tibetan government-in-exile says about 140 people have been killed in a crackdown by Chinese security forces.China says 19 people were killed by rioters. The Tibetan government-in-exile says about 140 people have been killed in a crackdown by Chinese security forces.
'More destructive''More destructive'
Foreign journalists have largely been blocked from covering the unrest, but on Wednesday China allowed a group of reporters into Lhasa for a three-day escorted visit. The group does not include the BBC.Foreign journalists have largely been blocked from covering the unrest, but on Wednesday China allowed a group of reporters into Lhasa for a three-day escorted visit. The group does not include the BBC.
The monks' protest came early on Thursday as they toured the Jokhang Temple - one of Tibet's holiest shrines.The monks' protest came early on Thursday as they toured the Jokhang Temple - one of Tibet's holiest shrines.
The journalists will spend three days in LhasaThe journalists will spend three days in Lhasa
One monk shouted "Tibet is not free, Tibet is not free" before he started to cry, an AP journalist at the scene reported.One monk shouted "Tibet is not free, Tibet is not free" before he started to cry, an AP journalist at the scene reported.
Another monk said that the rioting on 14 March "had nothing to do with the Dalai Lama", the reporter said. Another monk said the rioting on 14 March "had nothing to do with the Dalai Lama".
Government handlers told the journalists to leave and tried to pull them away, the reporter said.Government handlers told the journalists to leave and tried to pull them away, the reporter said.
The group have also visited a medical clinic and a clothing store where Chinese authorities say five girls were trapped and burned to death, the AP reporter added. The group has also visited a medical clinic and a clothing store where Chinese authorities say five girls were trapped and burned to death, AP's reporter added.
A reporter for the London-based Financial Times, meanwhile, said that the Tibetan quarter of the city resembled a war zone, with burnt-out buildings, shuttered businesses and groups of soldiers on every corner.A reporter for the London-based Financial Times, meanwhile, said that the Tibetan quarter of the city resembled a war zone, with burnt-out buildings, shuttered businesses and groups of soldiers on every corner.
The rioting appeared to have been more prolonged and destructive than previously thought, the reporter wrote.The rioting appeared to have been more prolonged and destructive than previously thought, the reporter wrote.
Call for dialogueCall for dialogue
On Wednesday, Mr Bush addressed the issue of the protests in and around Tibet with President Hu Jintao in telephone talks. On Wednesday, Mr Bush addressed the issue of the protests in and around Tibet with President Hu in telephone talks.
"The president raised his concerns about the situation in Tibet and encouraged the Chinese government to engage in substantive dialogue with the Dalai Lama's representatives," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said."The president raised his concerns about the situation in Tibet and encouraged the Chinese government to engage in substantive dialogue with the Dalai Lama's representatives," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.
But, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington, the fact that it has taken President Bush this long to talk directly to President Hu Jintao shows that the US is treading carefully in its response. But, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington, the fact that it has taken Mr Bush this long to talk directly to Mr Hu shows that the US is treading carefully in its response.
Despite calls from rights groups for an Olympic boycott, the White House has already made it clear that President Bush will still attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Games. Despite calls from rights groups for an Olympic boycott, the White House has already made it clear that Mr Bush will still attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Games.