In a trip that angered Chinese officials, she flew into Dharamshala, seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile, to pay the first high-level call on the spiritual icon after anti-Chinese riots erupted in Tibet nearly two weeks ago.

"Speaking for myself, I would say if freedom-loving people throughout the world do not speak out against China's oppression in Tibet, we have lost our moral authority to speak on behalf of human rights anywhere in the world," said Pelosi, draped in a golden scarf given to her by the Dalai Lama.

"The situation in Tibet is a challenge to the conscience of the world. What is happening, the world needs to know," she told thousands of refugees waving Tibetan and US flags, who roared with approval.

"We are with you to meet that challenge. We are with you in this challenge." The northern town was jammed with crowds of refugees, some with children hoisted on shoulders, and maroon-robed monks. Streets were festooned with banners proclaiming "American-Tibet Friendship."

Pelosi's comments drew a sharp response from China's ambassador to India Zhang Yan, who said "no country, organisation or person" should "take any irresponsible act or say irresponsible words."

"We have stated clearly Tibet is China's internal affair," he said.

The Chinese, keen to put their best face forward ahead of the August Olympics, have insisted they are seeking to avoid heavy-handed tactics to suppress the worst protests against their rule in Tibet in nearly 20 years.

Just hours after the envoy spoke, Tibetan exiles broke into the Chinese embassy complex in New Delhi after making repeated failed bids since launching their pro-independence protests, police said.

About 50 Tibetans rushed towards the heavily guarded compound and around 15, screaming "Free Tibet," scaled the high railings and reached a cultural centre inside the sprawling complex before being overpowered by Indian police and Chinese security.

All of the demonstrators were arrested, said a police officer who asked not to be named. Another Indian officer said "there were injuries on both sides" as security forces subdued the protesters but could give no details.

India, which has given sanctuary to the Dalai Lama and hosts the world's largest Tibetan refugee population, has consistently demanded that Tibetan exiles not use Indian soil as a springboard for their anti-China campaign.

Pelosi, a strong critic of China's human rights record, also called for an international probe into the causes of the unrest but added she was not seeking a boycott of the Olympics.

"We call upon the international community to have an independent outside investigation on accusations made by the Chinese government that His Holiness (the Dalai Lama) was the instigator of violence in Tibet," said Pelosi, accompanied by nine US Congressmen.

"This investigation is to make sure there is no association between His Holiness and violence in Tibet," said Pelosi.

Pelosi also said she was "not calling for any boycott of the Olympic Games," echoing statements by the Dalai Lama, who has denied orchestrating the riots.

But the "world is watching" events in China, added Pelosi.

On Thursday, a US spokesman said President George W. Bush would attend the August Olympics because it was a sporting rather than a political event.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Thursday said Beijing had "plenty of evidence" to prove the protests were "incited by the Dalai clique" to sabotage the Games.

But the Dalai Lama, 72, who has repeatedly said he wants autonomy and not independence for the region he fled in 1959 after a failed uprising, has replied the Chinese are welcome to send a team to Dharamshala to investigate their charges.

The Tibetan government-in-exile has said it has confirmed at least 99 Tibetan deaths in the Chinese crackdown on protests.

China has rejected the toll, saying the only people to have died are one policeman and 18 "innocent civilians" killed by Tibetan rioters last Friday in Tibet's capital, Lhasa.

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