Washington - US President George W Bush wants the Chinese government to hold dialogue with Tibet's religious leader, the Dalai Lama, to resolve the clashes erupting in the capital Lhasa, the White House said Friday. Meanwhile, the US embassy in Beijing has warned American citizens to avoid travel to Tibet following violent demonstrations by Buddhist monks protesting Chinese rule.
Tony Fratto, a White House spokesman, said the Chinese government must respect ethnic groups and Tibetan culture.
"We regret the tensions between ethnic groups and Beijing," Fratto said. "The president has said consistently that Beijing needs to have a dialogue with the Dalai Lama."
The embassy said there were reports of rioting in the Tibetan capital Lhasa and had heard first hand accounts from US citizens of gunfire.
The embassy told US citizens already in Tibet to stay away from areas where demonstrations were taking place and to seek safe havens in hotels or other buildings and to remain indoors.
"All care should be taken to avoid unnecessary movement within (Lhasa) until the situation is under control," the embassy's message said.
