U.S. should speak out for Tibet, Obama says

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina (Reuters) - The United States should speak out for human rights in Tibet, U.S. presidential contender Barack Obama said on Wednesday amid a Chinese crackdown on protests by Tibetans in China.

In a foreign policy speech, the Democratic senator from Illinois said the United States should work with countries such as Russia and China but it should also stand up for rights.

"We can start now by speaking out for the human rights and religious freedom of the people of Tibet," Obama told an audience of military families and veterans.

Obama has a slight lead over his rival New York Sen. Hillary Clinton in the fight for the Democratic nomination. The winner would face Republican Sen. John McCain in the November election.

The Bush administration has urged restraint by China in dealing with protesters in Tibet and voiced strong concern over the extent of the violence, echoing similar worries from Europe and Australia. Chinese authorities said 13 had been killed in the violence but exiled Tibetans put the death toll at around 100.

(Reporting by Caren Bohan, editing by Vicki Allen)