Tibetan Protests In China
Wednesday, 19. March 2008, 07:17:39
Recently Buddhist monks from all-over China, spurred into protests demanding free Tibet. What began as a peaceful demonstration soon turned into a violent protest when the locals joined the Buddhist protestors, agitated by the stubborn stand by the Chinese officials. More than 100 people have died, according to the Tibetans, including 19 they said were shot by Chinese police in the area of Machu in Gansu province.
This situation is grave, also considering that the Beijing Olympics are round the corner. Thus at this time, these protests are thorn in the way of the Chinese Government who have already been accused a dozen times of violating the human-rights while preparing for the much-awaited sports feista. International Olympics Committee vice-president Thomas Bach said a number of top athletes were considering boycotting the Beijing Olympics over the bloody crackdown in Tibet.
The Dalai Lama said on Tuesday he would resign as leader of Tibetan-government-in-exile, who is presently in Dharamsala, in northern India, if violence veers out of control in Tibet and denied accusations from China that he was inciting riots. Also on Tuesday, China's premier Wen Jiabao, accused Dalai Lama of orchestrating riots in which dozens may have died and said his followers were trying to 'incite sabotage' of Beijing Olympics.
The Dalai Lama said he had nothing to hide from the Chinese. "Investigate thoroughly, so if you want to start investigating from here, you are most welcome," he said. "Check our various offices. They can examine my pulse, my urine, my stool, everything," he said with a laugh, miming as he talked.
But the matter is more than a laughing one, while Lhasa burns, the Chinese govt. has waged war, a "people's war" againist the rioters.
According to me, China has two options before it to deal with the protestors in Tibet. It could take a cue from the Myanmar and use force to suppress the protests or negotiate with dissenters, who include a large number of exhiled Buddhist monks. But well, China is not Myanmar. It is a global power and the world expects Beijing to conduct its affairs accordingly, also taking into the account the forth-coming Olympics. The Chinese leadership should invite him for talks. Such a gesture would in a long way to show China in a positive light. It is fatuous for Beijing to imagine that it sweep dissent under the carpet by enforcing a ban on foreigners in Tibet and youtube in China. China could risk international condemnation if it uses excessive force on protesters in Lhasa. After all it should rise to the occasion in any way.
This situation is grave, also considering that the Beijing Olympics are round the corner. Thus at this time, these protests are thorn in the way of the Chinese Government who have already been accused a dozen times of violating the human-rights while preparing for the much-awaited sports feista. International Olympics Committee vice-president Thomas Bach said a number of top athletes were considering boycotting the Beijing Olympics over the bloody crackdown in Tibet.
The Dalai Lama said on Tuesday he would resign as leader of Tibetan-government-in-exile, who is presently in Dharamsala, in northern India, if violence veers out of control in Tibet and denied accusations from China that he was inciting riots. Also on Tuesday, China's premier Wen Jiabao, accused Dalai Lama of orchestrating riots in which dozens may have died and said his followers were trying to 'incite sabotage' of Beijing Olympics.
The Dalai Lama said he had nothing to hide from the Chinese. "Investigate thoroughly, so if you want to start investigating from here, you are most welcome," he said. "Check our various offices. They can examine my pulse, my urine, my stool, everything," he said with a laugh, miming as he talked.
But the matter is more than a laughing one, while Lhasa burns, the Chinese govt. has waged war, a "people's war" againist the rioters.
According to me, China has two options before it to deal with the protestors in Tibet. It could take a cue from the Myanmar and use force to suppress the protests or negotiate with dissenters, who include a large number of exhiled Buddhist monks. But well, China is not Myanmar. It is a global power and the world expects Beijing to conduct its affairs accordingly, also taking into the account the forth-coming Olympics. The Chinese leadership should invite him for talks. Such a gesture would in a long way to show China in a positive light. It is fatuous for Beijing to imagine that it sweep dissent under the carpet by enforcing a ban on foreigners in Tibet and youtube in China. China could risk international condemnation if it uses excessive force on protesters in Lhasa. After all it should rise to the occasion in any way.
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