WASHINGTON, March 26 (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush telephoned Chinese President Hu Jintao on Wednesday to raise his concerns about unrest in Tibet and encourage the Chinese government to talk with the Dalai Lama, the White House said.

"The president raised his concerns about the situation in Tibet and encouraged the Chinese government to engage in substantive dialogue with the Dalai Lama's representatives and to allow access for journalists and diplomats," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

China alleges the exiled Buddhist leader was conspiring to wreck the Beijing Olympic Games this summer and masterminded the unrest which began earlier this month with a series of peaceful marches in Lhasa, the Tibetan capital, but soon turned deadly.

China says 19 people died in the violence, while representatives of the Tibetan government-in-exile say 140 died in clashes. China has barred foreign journalists from Tibet and surrounding areas, making independent verification difficult.

Despite pleas from human-rights activists, Bush plans to attend the Olympics but has said he will express his concern about "a variety of issues" to Chinese officials.

("Countdown to Beijing Olympics" blog at http://blogs.reuters.com/china)

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