EXILED TIBETAN LEADER HAILS U.S. RIGHTS BILL

NEW DELHI/BEIJING The political head of Tibetans in exile on Tuesday welcomed legislation passed by the U.S. Congress that reaffirms the rights of Tibetans to choose a successor to their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, a move that infuriated China.

China regards the exiled Dalai Lama as a dangerous “splittist,” or separatist, and the latest show of support from the U.S. Congress could increase already tense ties between the two countries.

Lobsang Sangay, president of the Tibetan Cent r al Administration (CTA), which is known as the Tibetan government-in-exile, told Reuters Monday's passing by the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate of the Tibet Policy and Support Act (TPSA) was historic.

The Chinese foreign ministry accused the U.S. of meddling in its internal affairs and warned the U.S. against signing the legislation into law.