Tibet: A place of their own.

Very lengthy update. From the (Oz) ABC.:

Olympic torch protests shameful: China
Posted 1 hour 12 minutes ago
Updated 37 minutes ago

China says attempts to disrupt the Olympic torch relay were "shameful" after protests at the ceremony to light the flame added to pressure over its handling of ongoing unrest in Tibet.

Amid reports of new bloodshed during a major crackdown by Chinese forces, the demonstrations in Greece on Monday underlined world anger over Tibet and a determination to keep harassing China's communist leaders on the issue.

But China's foreign ministry had only sharp words for the protests and urged countries on the relay route to ensure its smooth progress.

"Any act to disrupt the Olympic torch relay is shameful and unpopular," ministry spokesman Qin Gang told reporters in Beijing in China's first official reaction to the incidents.

"We also believe that competent authorities in countries through which the torch relay will pass have the obligation to ensure a smooth relay."

With Tibetan exiles putting the death toll from 10 days of unrest at around 140, protesters condemning China's human rights record briefly disrupted the flame ceremony as it was broadcast live around the world - with Chinese officials on hand.

Later, 10 Tibetan activists staged a protest in the town's main street.

Chinese media largely ignored it in their accounts of the lighting of the flame, which kicked off a five-month world tour of the Olympic torch in the run-up to the August 8-24 Games, which China hopes will be a showpiece for the nation.

The China Daily instead called the flame ceremony "a perfect start."

The Global Times, a specialised newspaper focusing on international news, carried a short reference to the protests at the end of a lengthy report.

The incidents helped renew international attention on China's crackdown on the two weeks of protest over its rule of Tibet, which Beijing has blamed on the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader.


More outbreaks

State-run Xinhua news agency reported a policeman was killed, and other officers injured, in fresh clashes on Monday in Garze, a south-west region in Sichuan province with a large proportion of ethnic Tibetans.

The India-based Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy reported one Tibetan protester was shot dead and another left in critical condition following "indiscriminate firing" at a group of about 200 demonstrators.

Protests began in Tibet on March 10 to mark the anniversary of a failed 1959 uprising against Chinese rule in the region.

The unrest has since turned deadly and spread to other parts of the country.

Thirteen people who took part in the March 10 demonstration are now under arrest, the state-controlled Tibet Daily reported Tuesday.


Resignation threat reissued

The Dalai Lama has reiterated a threat to resign as leader of Tibet's exiles if there are more violent anti-Chinese protests inside or outside China.

"If the violent demonstrations continue, I would resign," the Buddhist leader said in the Indian capital, where he was conducting a week of meditation workshops.

"I think inside or outside China, if the demonstrators utilise violent methods, I am totally against it," he added.

Last week the spiritual leader, who has been based in the northern Indian town of Dharamshala since a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959, issued a similar warning.


Leaders speak out

Meanwhile, world leaders, rights groups and sports personalities have condemned China's policies in Tibet.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner described as intolerable China's crackdown in Tibet.

"This repression is not tolerable," Mr Kouchner told Europe 1 radio Tuesday, even as he ruled out a French boycott of the Olympics.

In New York, Human Rights Watch argued the Olympic torch should not pass through Tibet as part of its 130-day world odyssey to Beijing.

Although there appears to be little appetite among world leaders for a formal boycott of the Games, there were increasing signs of concern at the violence - and support for Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice said the violence in Tibet was "not acceptable." She urged Chinese authorities on Monday to talk to the Dalai Lama as the "only policy that is sustainable in Tibet."

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has already announced he would meet the Dalai Lama when he visits London in May.

Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, has also announced he would meet him and has also said he would not attend the Games.

But Singapore has backed Beijing's handling of the unrest in Tibet, saying it was "opposed to the politicalisation of the Olympics."

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez meanwhile said that international outrage against China's protests in Tibet is part of a US plan to weaken its up-and-coming Asian rival.

Xinhua today reported a visit to Tibet by Meng Jianzhu, the head of the public security ministry and China's top police official, covering several areas in Lhasa impacted by the clashes.

"Every religion should carry out their activities according to the law and should never undermine national solidarity," Mr Meng said, according to the agency.

"Participating in the riot essentially violated the doctrines of Tibetan Buddhism."


Media

Independent confirmation of reports from the region and areas populated by Tibetans has been extremely difficult due to curbs China has placed on foreign media.

The foreign ministry said today it would organise a three-day trip to Lhasa by about a dozen selected foreign journalists.

Tibet, a mountainous region that straddles Mount Everest and is more than twice the size of France, has been a flashpoint issue for China's Communist leadership ever since it came to power in 1949.

Tibet has taken on greater importance in the run-up to the Olympics in August, which the country's leaders hope will be a chance to show off China's rapid transformation into a modern economic power.

Despite the protests, calls for a boycott of the Games have been muted.

International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said on Monday that there was "deep concern" over events in Tibet but has dismissed talk of boycotting the event.

- AFP

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/25/2199043.htm

Couldn't have put it better, myself!

Go Crikey! :

Dear Squatters,

While Beijing's Olympic organisers would like us to "Light the Passion, Share the Dream", it appears that the only dream being shared at the moment is that of a free Tibet. And if anything merited disruption, it's the preposterously silly Olympic torch ceremony, involving the Temple of Hera, a "Holy Priestess" and, apparently, Pierre de Coubertin's heart.

One of the world's most corrupt and brutal regimes must be furious that its thuggery is being highlighted at the very moment when it wants the rest of the world to acknowledge its rising power. And the IOC, another body not exactly known for its accountability or tolerance of dissent, continues to insist that the Olympics is above petty issues like human rights.

Australia will have its own role to play in this absurd spectacle when the Olympic torch visits Canberra on 24 April. Hopefully Australia's proud tradition of support for human rights will be on display when this alleged "journey of harmony, bringing the message of peace to people of different nationalities, cultures and creeds" wends its heavily-guarded way through the nation's capital.

~

No Chinese troops on Australian soil: McClelland
Posted 28 minutes ago
Updated 13 minutes ago/ABC NEWS


Not in Australia: Chinese People's Liberation Army troops (Getty Images: Alex Hofford/Pool)

Attorney-General Robert McClelland says China will not be allowed to send troops to oversee the Australian leg of the Olympic torch relay in Canberra in late April.

China has reportedly asked for its army to be allowed to provide security for the event after pro-Tibetan protesters disrupted the lighting of the torch in Greece earlier this week.

Mr McClelland says he is not aware of any official request from China, but Australia takes responsibility for security arrangements on its own soil.

Earlier Foreign Minister Stephen Smith stood firm in his opposition to any boycott of the Beijing Olympics amid international concern over handling of the protests in Tibet and neighbouring parts of China.

"In the past boycotts of the Olympics, in my view, have not been successful, whether Australia's engaged in that or when other nation states have engaged in it," he said.

"The Olympics is a chance to put the spotlight on China but also to enhance China's engagement with the international community."

At least two people were reported dead in fresh protests in a Tibetan part of western China and authorities made arrests in Tibet's capital Lhasa in an effort to reassert control over the restive region.

State media said one police officer was killed and the exiled Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy reported one Tibetan protester was shot dead and another critically hurt after unrest in Sichuan's Ganzi (Garze) Tibetan Prefecture.


http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/26/2199635.htm

France could lead Olympic ceremony boycott
By Europe correspondent Rafael Epstein and wires

Posted 7 hours 44 minutes ago
Updated 7 hours 4 minutes ago/ABC News online

The French Government could support a boycott of the Olympic Games opening ceremony as a protest against Beijing's actions in Tibet.

President Nicolas Sarkozy refused to rule out a boycott as he urged China to show responsibility over the unrest in Tibet.

"I don't close the door to any option, but I think it's more prudent to reserve my responses," he said.

"All options are on the table.

"It's now up to the Chinese to see what they want to do with the proposals that I have made on behalf of France."

Mr Sarkozy's warning marked a shift from France's insistence that any boycott would antagonise China and be counter-productive.

Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner earlier used his harshest words yet to describe the Chinese crackdown in Tibet, saying "this repression is intolerable."

France has also offered its services as a negotiator between the Dalai Lama and Beijing.

The French public broadcaster has said it may cancel its coverage of the Games if Beijing blocks the reporting of protests.

France takes over the presidency of the European Union later this year and observers suggest Paris could lead a ceremony boycott.

- ABC/AFP

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/26/2199080.htm

Really?

Go France!

I am visualizing a Chinese security force to maintain order in Australia.

Actually, I am visualizing tanks.

http://www.slate.com/id/2187280/

Cops Beat The Living Hell Out Of Peaceful Tibetan Protesters IN AMERICA
Unbelievable video of beatings outside UN building

Steve Watson
Infowars.net
Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Disgusting video footage of New York cops clubbing and arresting peaceful Tibetan protesters who were merely walking down the street has gone relatively ignored beyond Youtube.

While stories emerge out of China every day of police beating and killing Tibetan protestors in the streets, the same sort of behavior by cops in America tells its own story.

The footage was shot at a free Tibet peaceful assembly in New York on the 14th of March.

It shows the protestors holding flags and signs and peacefully walking down the street towards the UN building in the Turtle Bay neighborhood only to be accosted by police officers with batons.

One officer identified as "Delgado" is seen in the video pushing people as the group crosses the street.

Another officer, identified as "Serano" is caught threatening to kill two protesters as the cameraman passes. He later admits to the threat and apologizes for it.

As the group nears the UN building, cop cars and vans screech onto the sidewalks, cops pour out and begin to beat the protesters with clubs as UN security guards observe without becoming involved.

A non uniformed officer, who seems to be directing the entire operation, then orders the cameraman to step back and move away.

"Look at these cops, clubbing people in front of the UN, unbelievable, protesting to free Tibet, cops clubbing people in their legs on the sidewalk, in front of the UN in America, unbelievable, this is not China." the American cameraman announces in disbelief.

The officer identified as Serano then forces the cameraman away from the melee, telling him to shut the camera off and that he will not talk to him because he may be a reporter.

Several officers then follow the cameraman asking him about his recording of the incident.

Watch the entire video:

http://infowars.net/articles/march2008/ ... esters.htm

blueflame

Went to the link you supplied & there are quite a number of links for today. (& being on dial-up ... )

Could you please post the specific link? (I'm gob-smacked. )

... in the meantime:
Ordinary people "coerced" into demonstrating"? Oh please!
Does the Chinese government actually expect anyone to actually believe this?
...and as for the "Chinese students abroad" .... Just plain ol' bad propaganda. Probably from some Chinese government lackey. [IHonestly![/I] :

Pro-Tibetan protesters 'coerced' into demonstrating
Posted 5 hours 13 minutes ago/ABC News (Oz)

Lhasa prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for 29 people allegedly involved in a protest on March 14. (File photo) (AFP Photo)

China says at least 660 people have surrendered over deadly protests in and near Tibet, and that most had been 'deceived or coerced' into taking part in the demonstrations.

More than 280 people had given themselves up to authorities following deadly protests in the Tibetan capital Lhasa against Chinese rule, the state-run Xinhua news agency said.

In Ngawa, a region in Sichuan province in south-west China next to Tibet, 381 people involved in recent clashes had also handed themselves over to police, the state-run China Daily newspaper reported.

Xinhua said Lhasa prosecutors had also issued arrest warrants for 29 people allegedly involved in a protest that broke out in the Tibetan capital on March 14, while a "most-wanted" list of 53 people had been issued by police.

"Most of those who have come forward are ordinary people and monks who were deceived or coerced [into protesting]," a local Communist Party chief, Shu Tao, said.

Tibet's Government-in-exile has said 140 people had been killed in the unrest over the past two weeks in Tibet and neighbouring areas with large Tibetan populations, while China reported there had been 20 deaths.

Independent verification of the figures was made extremely difficult by a Chinese decision to bar foreign reporters from travelling to areas affected by the unrest.

However, a first group of about a dozen selected foreign journalists was scheduled to begin a guided three day tour to Lhasa today.


Foreign media criticised

Against the backdrop of tight control of the foreign media's movement in and near Tibet, Chinese citizens voiced anger at what they considered unfair reporting by overseas media.

Chinese students abroad set up a website, www.anti-cnn.com, to collect evidence of "one-sided and untrue" foreign reporting, blasting "the Western Goebbels' Nazi media," according to the China Daily, in reference to German dictator Hitler's propaganda minister.

"In their reporting about the March unrest in Tibet, the western media have once again showed their ugly and evil true face to the people of the world," the website said.

Meanwhile French President Nicolas Sarkozy has left open the possibility of boycotting the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony over China's crackdown.

Mr Sarkozy, who arrives in Britain for a two-day visit today, said "all options are open" regarding a boycott.

He appealed to the "sense of responsibility" of China's leaders over the unrest.

The president's aides specified that France was still considering the possibility of snubbing the opening ceremony, but ruled out boycotting the entire Games.

- AFP

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/26/2199911.htm

Actually, Roger, it's a bit rich of the Oz government to take this line on Chinese "assistance" while repeatedly rejecting a games boycott at the same time! In Oz we describe this sort of approach as "having a bob each way"! :wink:

Try This mate :wink: .

Thanks, mate.

Crikey.

In NYC. Why?

barrythemod, thanks. msolga, why? I dont know but God damn that.

Why? - how about US debt
you don't bite the hand that feeds you

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/International/story?id=1867118&page=2

US National debt is now increasing at such a rate, there are predictions that it
could reach the $10 trillion mark some time in Spring 2009

The US debt in the hands of foreign governments is 25% of the total - virtually double the 1988 figure of 13%. The U.S. Treasury statistics indicate that, at the end of 2006, foreigners held 44% of federal debt held by the public. About 66% of that 44% was held by the central banks of other countries, in particular the central banks of Japan and China. In total, lenders from Japan and China held 47% of the foreign-owned debt.Some argue this exposes the United States to potential financial or political risk that either banks will stop buying Treasury securities or start selling them heavily.

That's Empire for you

Viva Le France!!!

My boycott is going good so far. (ecept I had Chinese food for lunch)

Foreign media in Tibet on China-controlled trip
Posted Wed Mar 26, 2008 11:26pm AEDT

The first foreign journalists allowed into the Tibetan capital Lhasa since deadly rioting there have arrived, but were expected to be tightly controlled by their Chinese minders.

About two dozen journalists were selected by Chinese authorities, who indicated yesterday the group would only be allowed to see evidence supporting the official version of violent anti-Chinese riots that erupted this month.

"The organisers will arrange interviews with victims of the criminal acts and also visits to those places that were looted or burned," foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang told reporters.

Participating media organisations confirmed their arrival in Lhasa. AFP and other major news agencies were not invited on the three-day trip.

Mr Qin said logistical issues constrained the number of journalists allowed on the trip.

Xinhua news agency said 26 journalists from 19 media organisations were in the group.

While barring journalists from riot-hit areas, China has portrayed the violence in Tibet and adjacent regions as orchestrated by the exiled Dalai Lama, and has focussed attention on attacks on ethnic Chinese.

Little or no mention has been made of reports by activist groups that the violence was sparked when Chinese police in Lhasa forcefully dispersed peaceful protests by Buddhist monks marking the March 10 anniversary of a failed 1959 uprising against Chinese rule.

China also has maintained that security forces have used minimal force in putting down the unrest but prevented independent confirmation of the claim.

The Foreign Correspondents Club of China issued a statement calling for all media organisations to be allowed to report freely in Tibet.

"The FCCC calls on the Chinese Government to allow all other foreign correspondents who wish to report in Tibet, and Tibetan areas in other provinces, to be permitted to do so at the earliest possible date - and to enable them to work and travel without government interference," it said.

The statement also urged Chinese authorities to allow the foreign media group now in Lhasa "unfettered freedom to report."

- AFP

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/26/2200146.htm

More than an "extraordinary act of defiance." ... an extraordinary act of bravery! Just imagine the consequences for these young monks now that the media contingent has moved on. I can't bear to think about it. (video & other related material can be accessed from the link below.):

Tibetan monks defy protest ban
Posted 4 hours 7 minutes ago
Updated 59 minutes ago/ABC (Oz) News online


Tibetan Buddhist monks speak to foreign journalists at Jokhang temple (AFP)

Buddhist monks from one of Tibet's most sacred temples have defied China's crackdown to protest in front of visiting foreign reporters in the capital, Lhasa.

The Tibetan monks disrupted a tour by journalists who are the first to be allowed back in Lhasa after their colleagues were expelled following anti-Chinese unrest.

One of the journalists on the tour, Callum MacLeod, described the incident as an "extraordinary act of defiance."

"The group of journalists were being told about how it is a symbol of national unity when about 30 young monks surrounded the group and started shouting 'they're tricking you, they're telling lies, don't believe them,'" he said.

"There was almost a melee for the next five minutes maximum whereby these young monks, many of them weeping, were trying to get over their side of the story."

As the journalists were hustled away by their Chinese minders, the monks said they expected to be arrested.

Another of the reporters, Geoff Dyer, from Britain's Financial Times, described what took place.

"It really was quite an extraordinary incident," he said.

"We were talking to one of the senior monks in the ... temple in Lhasa and around 30 young Buddhist monks pushed past him in front of us and some of them started shouting.

"Many of them are clearly highly agitated, some of them are weeping openly, they started shouting slogans along the lines of 'freedom for Tibet' and shouting support for the Dalai Lama."

A top Tibetan official said the monks who protested to visiting foreign reporters over China's crackdown of unrest in the region will not be punished, state media reported early Friday.

Xinhua news agency reported that officials said none of the monks would face reprisals.

But it also quoted Baema Chilain, vice chairman of the regional government at a press conference to domestic and overseas media, as saying: "What they said is not true.

"They were attempting to mislead the world's opinion. The facts shouldn't be distorted."

-ABC/AFP

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/28/2201242.htm

Czechs, Poles to boycott Olympic opening
By Europe correspondent Rafael Epstein/ABC news online

Posted 2 hours 24 minutes ago

Leaders from the Czech Republic and Poland have declined invitations to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing, in protest of recent crackdowns on Tibetan protesters.

Czech President Vaclav Klaus says those who voted to give the Games to China should now not be surprised by the recent trouble.

"China is what it is," he said.

Mr Klaus and some Czech ministers will boycott the ceremony.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk questioned whether world leaders should attend, given China's conduct.

"The presence of politicians at the Games' inauguration seems inappropriate," he said.

Mr Tusk says he will try to convince other European Union countries that they should speak out more strongly on the issue of Tibet.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is currently visiting London, repeated that he may also boycott the ceremony.

But British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says he will be attending.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/28/2201279.htm

China is now Australia's No 1 trading partner. (Playing a big part in Australia's "mineral boom", bringing lots of money into the Australian economy.) Our PM is now on a 17 day world trip, which includes China. It will be interesting to hear what this Oz diplomat will report after his visit ... & what he will be allowed to actually see. Say nothing of who he will be able to speak with ...:

China approves Aust diplomat Tibet visit
Posted Thu Mar 27, 2008 10:24pm AEDT
Updated Thu Mar 27, 2008 10:31pm AEDT


A monk waves a Tibetan flag during a protest march calling for UN action over Tibet through the streets of Kathmandu, March 19, 2008. (Reuters)

A senior Australian diplomat will be allowed to visit Tibet tomorrow (today - Friday), as a part of a delegation granted access by the Chinese Government.

Australia had requested diplomatic access to Tibet to assess the situation in the region, after a recent Chinese Government crackdown on protesters.

After initially ignoring the request, the Chinese Government has agreed to allow one senior diplomat from Australia's Beijing Embassy to join other foreign diplomats on a trip to Tibet, accompanied by Chinese officials.

The speed of China's approval has surprised the Australian Government.

Before leaving Australia for an overseas trip today, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd described the lack of access as a sticking point.

A spokeswoman for Foreign Minister Stephen Smith says the Australian diplomat hopes to check on the welfare of four Australians known to be in Tibet.


http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/27/2201214.htm