House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Speak to Tibetans

Pelosi, speaking to a crowd of thousands of cheering Tibetans in Dharmsala, the seat of the Dalai Lama's government-in-exile, said the following: "If freedom loving people throughout the world do not speak out against China's oppression in China and Tibet, we have lost all moral authority to speak on behalf of human rights anywhere in the world."

Pelosi added, "The situation in Tibet is a challenge to the conscience of the world." After meeting with the Dalai Lama, Pelosi described him as the "embodiment of non-violence." She is reluctant to believe Chinese allegations that the Dalai Lama encouraged the violent protest erupting in China. Nonetheless, Pelosi class for an independent, outside investigation to clear the Dalai Lama's name.