This is a new report from the Congressional Research Service thathas not been made readily available to the public
http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL34445.pdf
The European Parlement voted almost 100 % today in favor of a boycot of the opening of the Olympic Games if there is not a progress in peace talks between China and the Dalai Lama. Germany Mrs. Merkel and Brittain Mr. Brown prime-ministers will not go to the opening of the Olympic games. Dutch Mr. Balkenende still intends to go.
The full text from the largest newspaper in the Netherlands (only in Dutch): http://www.telegraaf.nl/buitenland/3761633/_Roep_om_boycot_luider__.html
Mrs Erica Terpstra, chairman of Dutch Olympic Comite and member of IOC asked today the European Olympic Comites if they wanted to support a cancel of the run of the Olympic fire in Tibet, because this could give fighting in Tibet which would not be good for the case of the Tibetan people. But there was almost no support for her proposal.
Greetings from germany,
Henk van Aalderen
This is an April 4th Blog that I had posted in another group that I was asked to post here:
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today sent the following letter to President Bush, calling on him to employ every diplomatic tool to persuade Chinese President Hu Jintao to make significant progress in resolving the Tibet issue. Given the recent events in Tibet and the upcoming Beijing Olympics, Obama asks President Bush to encourage the Chinese government to negotiate with the Dalai Lama, guarantee religious freedoms for the Tibetan people, protect Tibetan culture and language, and support the exercise of genuine autonomy for Tibet. Obama also supports Bush's insistence that foreign press and diplomatic personnel have free access to Lhasa and other Tibetan cities and villages to ensure that repression and human rights violations cannot escape the world's notice. The text of the letter is below:
Dear Mr. President:
The situation in Tibet is deeply disturbing, and requires that all of us, regardless of party, do what we can to try to influence it for the better. I understand that you discussed the subject on Wednesday with President Hu Jintao. The United States has many issues for which China's cooperation is important, including denuclearization of North Korea, ending Iran's nuclear program, stopping the genocide in Darfur, confronting repression in Burma, and combating global warming. However, it is important that we give high priority to the plight of Tibetans and make clear to President Hu that the way in which China treats all Chinese citizens, including Tibetans, profoundly affects how China is viewed in the United States and throughout the international community.
Resolution of differences between the Chinese Government and the Dalai Lama is the key to progress in Tibet. The Dalai Lama, as you have said, is "a good man." He is revered by virtually all Tibetans, and his absence from his homeland creates an incurable wound in the heart of Tibetan Buddhism. Tibet's unique cultural and religious heritage cannot be preserved if he is demonized and kept at arm's length. He has accepted Beijing's precondition for a solution, namely recognition that Tibet is part of China, and has clearly stated that he is seeking religious, cultural and linguistic protection and autonomy for the Tibetan people, not independence. More recently, he indicated his belief that despite recent events, the Chinese people deserve to host the Olympics this summer.
I hope you made clear to President Hu the American view about the importance of the following: a negotiation with the Dalai Lama about his return to Tibet; guarantees of religious freedom for the Tibetan people; protection of Tibetan culture and language; and the exercise of genuine autonomy for Tibet. That is the path to the stability and harmony that the Chinese leaders say they are seeking in Tibet.
In addition to your personal intervention with President Hu, there are other steps I hope you will take to highlight our concern. I support your call for the foreign press and diplomatic personnel to have free access to Lhasa and other Tibetan cities and villages to ensure that repression and human rights violations cannot escape the world's notice. Beijing has committed to the International Olympic Committee to allow foreign journalists free access to cover stories throughout China, including Tibet. We should hold them to that commitment. The U.S. and our democratic allies and friends should also urge the UN Human Rights Council to send an investigatory team to Tibet. China should be encouraged to allow the International Committee for the Red Cross to visit prisons in Tibet to ensure that detainees are not held under inhumane conditions, tortured, or mistreated.
Like you, I want to take steps that increase the chance of a negotiated solution between Beijing and the Dalai Lama, and that have the best chance of improving the lives of ordinary Tibetans. Therefore, I support your effort to aggressively use your relationship with President Hu to achieve these goals. Should it appear, however, that the Chinese are taking private diplomacy as a license for inaction or continued repression, I would urge you to speak out forcefully and publicly to disabuse them of the notion that they can thus escape international censure.
Despite the high emotions of the present time, I hope you can persuade the Chinese leadership that in this the year of the Beijing Olympics they have a unique opportunity to make dramatic progress in resolving the Tibet issue. Chinese leaders have it within their power to achieve that worthy goal if they take steps to change the situation in Tibet for the better and by reaching an accommodation with the Dalai Lama. Progress in Tibet would profoundly affect the world's perception of China as it prepares to host the Olympic Games in August.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) today led a bipartisan group of Senators that introduced a resolution condemning the violence in Tibet. The resolution also calls on China to open substantive dialogue with His Holiness, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet.
The resolution is cosponsored by Senators Joseph Biden (D-Del.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Barack Obama (D-Ill.), Senator Robert Byrd (D-W.V.), Senator George Voinovich (R-Ohio), Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Patty Murray (D-Wash.).
The resolution introduced today comes in the wake of protests that have swept across Tibet, and reports that these protests have been met with overwhelming force and a crackdown by the Chinese government. Chinese and Tibetan sources report dozens of fatalities, and the arrest of more than 1,000 protesters in the Tibet Autonomous Region and surrounding Tibetan areas of China.
"As a friend of China and the Dalai Lama, I am saddened to see the situation in Tibet deteriorate to this point," Senator Feinstein said. "Violence cannot solve this matter. The United States must use its influence to bring the Government of China and the people of Tibet together to begin the process of reconciliation and dialogue.
In the 1990s, I carried three letters to President Jiang Zemin from the Dalai Lama requesting a face-to-face meeting. Six rounds of talks since 2002 between the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China and representatives of His Holiness have not yielded any results.
So, I urge the leadership in China to begin the process of open substantive dialogue with the Dalai Lama on meaningful Tibetan religious and cultural autonomy within the People's Republic of China."
Senator Smith said, "China's violent crackdown on the people of Tibet is inexcusable. They have long sought acceptance among the ranks of global leaders, but the methodical and brutal oppression of free speech, political protest and the repression of an entire ethnic population are not the actions of a world leader. The Chinese government must act immediately to end the violence."
"It is critical that the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama engage in a mutually respectful dialogue to restore peace and stability in Tibet," said Senator Biden. "By engaging in talks with Tibet instead of violence, President Hu would gain the opportunity to speak the motto of the Beijing Olympics - 'One World, One Dream' - to the entire international community. I can think of no greater symbol of peace than to have President Hu Jin-tao and the Dalai Lama jointly attend the opening ceremony of the games, united in their commitment to promote genuine reconciliation on the Tibetan plateau."
Specifically, the resolution:
"China's crackdown on the people of Tibet is inexcusable," Senator Brown said. "Beijing has long sought a place at the table of global leaders. But systematic and violent repression of free speech, political protest and the eradication of ethnic culture, religion, and language are not the acts of a world leader, nor a country we should be striving to open to free trade. President Hu Jintao must take immediate steps to end the violent repression, open up to western media and release all political prisoners."
"In order to reach its full potential as a global leader, China must respect human rights and religious freedom of all its citizens," said Senator Cantwell. "Dialogue with the Dalai Lama is essential."
Senator Menendez said, "The people of Tibet deserve communication, not crackdowns from the Chinese government. If they choose to voice their opinions, they deserve the right to be treated with civility and humanity. Instead, they are met with deadly violence. It's time for the dialogue to begin and the Dalai Lama to be included."
"Every day we learn about the tragedies facing the Tibetan people, and I condemn the use of violence to confront peaceful protests," said Senator Obama. "It's time that the Chinese government respect and protect the basic human rights, religion, and culture of the Tibetan people."
Senator Dole said, "Particularly as the world prepares to turn its attention to the summer 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, China should be taking steps to improve its human rights and religious freedom record. Unfortunately, China instead has engaged in a harsh repression of the people of Tibet, adding to their already negative influence in the crackdown in Burma. The violence needs to end."
Following is the text of the resolution introduced today:
"Whereas, beginning on March 10, 2008, Tibetans and Tibetan Buddhist monks began demonstrations in Lhasa, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region in the People's Republic of China;
Whereas those protests spread to elsewhere in the Tibet Autonomous Region and to Tibetan autonomous areas in the Sichuan, Gansu, and Qinghan provinces of China;
Whereas, long-suppressed resentment prompted violent clashes between demonstrators and government forces in the streets of Lhasa, resulting in innocent civilian casualties, the burning of buildings, and extensive property damage;
Whereas Chinese and Tibetan sources report dozens of fatalities, and the arrest of more than 1,000 protesters in the Tibet Autonomous Region and surrounding Tibetan areas of China;
Whereas Tibet is the center of Tibetan Buddhism and the Dalai Lama is the most revered figure in Tibetan Buddhism;
Whereas, the Government of China continues to restrict the rights of Tibetan Buddhists to practice their religion freely;
Whereas the Dalai Lama has condemned the violence that began on March 14, 2008, and announced his continuing support for the Olympic Games to be held in Beijing, China;
Whereas the Dalai Lama has specifically stated that he does not seek independence for Tibet from China and has called for negotiations to bring about meaningful autonomy for Tibet that allows Tibetans to maintain their distinctive identity within China;
Whereas the Constitution of the People's Republic of China guarantees freedom of religious belief for all citizens, but the 2007 Annual Report on International Religious Freedom of the Department of State states that "[d]uring the period covered by this report, the Government [of China]'s respect for freedom of religion remained poor"; and
Whereas, following the demonstrations that began on March 10, 2008, the Government of China began severely restricting access to journalists and diplomats and creating a shortage of independent verification of the situation on the ground in Tibet: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) condemns the violence in Tibet and calls for restraint by the Government of the People's Republic of China and the people of Tibet;
(2) calls for a dialogue between the leadership of the Government of China and His Holiness the Dalai Lama on meaningful religious and cultural autonomy for Tibet within China and urges that these discussions take place with all deliberate speed;
(3) calls for the release of individuals who protested in a peaceful manner and for medical care for those injured and wounded in the violence that followed the protests;
(4) calls on the Government of China to cease its efforts to enter monasteries to 'reeducate' monks and nuns, to respect the right of the people of Tibet to speak of the Dalai Lama and possess his photograph, and to respect and protect basic human rights, as provided in the Constitution of the People's Republic of China;
(5) calls on the Government of China to honor its commitment to allow international journalists free access to China from mid-2007 to October 17, 2008;
(6) calls on the Government of China to provide a full accounting of the March 2008 protests in Tibet, the response of the Government of China, and the manner and number of detentions and deaths that occurred following the protests; and
(7) both--(A) calls on the United States Department of State to fully implement the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002 (22 USC 6901 note), including the stipulation that the Secretary of State "seek to establish an office in Lhasa, Tibet to monitor political, economic, and cultural developments in Tibet", and also to provide consular protection and citizen services in emergencies, and
(B) urges that the agreement to permit China to open further diplomatic missions in the United States should be contingent upon the establishment of a United States Government office in Lhasa, Tibet."
Hide-and-seek in Paris...
In what I hope and pray will be a Presidential contest between Barack Obama and John McCain, roundly won by our man of change; I believe the world waits expectantly for a new and higher sense of purpose and direction from America.
With China staking all on a high-profile Olympic year showcase to prove that it is now the new lead super power, we urgently need an Obama-led USA back centre on the world stage to counter a regime utterly bankrupt of morality - viz - human rights, religious freedom, Tibet and Darfur - to name but a few proscribed areas.
Senator Clinton does nothing to enhance her already tarnished image - or indeed that of her husband's, by continuing to be the continuing spoiler in a Democrat process through which the ordinary people of America have spoken - loud and clear!
Bring on 2009 and a new beginning for humanity!
Written by Eva Herzer, of the Tibet Justice Center
The legal case of Tibet rests on two distinct pillars. First, the right to territorial integrity and second the right to self-determination. Both of these rights, separately, give the Tibetan people the choice to determine their future political, economic, social and cultural status.
The options as to a future political status include independence, an autonomous arrangement or theoretically total integration into the Chinese state.
The right to territorial integrity is the right of a sovereign nation to retain control over its territory. In other words, this is what we sometimes refer to as Tibet's historical right or claim. Thus if Tibet can show that she was sovereign prior to the Chinese invasion, then she is entitled to continued and future sovereignty, which means she has the right to decide on her future political, social, cultural and economic status. While Chinese and Tibetan history is intertwined in several significant ways, many scholars, including the International Commission of Jurists, have come to the conclusion that Tibet's historical claim to sovereignty is valid and that Tibet, if it so chooses, is entitled to have its sovereign status restored. Other scholars, many politicians and of course China, disagree with that conclusion. My own conclusion is that Tibet was a sovereign nation, minimally, from 1913 until 1949 when it was invaded by the People's Republic of China. This alone is sufficient to conclude that China's military annexation was unlawful. Additionally, China's theory that Tibet became a part of China during the Mongol period in the 13th century is blatantly absurd, since under this type of argument China could claim most of Asia, which was under Mongol rule as well, and India could claim most of its neighbors, who were also under British rule. While Manchu influence on Tibet was substantial, it was not unlike that of many protectorate relationships between sovereign nations today and, in any event, that influence had faded away by the end of the 19th century. A detailed discussion of this history is not within the scope of my topic today, but I recommend to you "The Case of Tibet", a study published by the TPPRC. It addresses Tibet's historical claim and provides a detailed discussion of Tibetans' right to self-determination and was written by lCLT's Dennis Cusack, who is here with us today, and Dr. Michael van Walt.
The problem with historical arguments is that history can be interpreted in many different ways. Nations and peoples sometimes become interdependent, and instead of a historical picture emerging in clear blacks and whites, it comes out in shades of gray, which are subjects of interpretation. China rests her case against Tibet solely on her historical interpretation that Tibet has always been a part of China and therefore concludes that Tibet has no right to determine its future. Interestingly, and for good reasons, China has been mostly silent on Tibet's right to self-determination.
Tibet's second legal pillar is the right to self-determination. This right is separate and independent of Tibet's territorial or historical claim. In other words, even if Tibet was a legitimate part of China in the past, Tibetans today have the right to self-determination. The right to self-determination is a cornerstone of the UN Charter which in Chapter 1, Article 1 (2) states: "The purposes of the United Nations are: ...To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principles of equal rights and self-determination of peoples..."
In 1970, the UN General Assembly passed a declaration, which elaborates on the right to self-determination (Declaration on Principles of International Law Concerning Friendly Relations and Cupertino among States in Accordance with the Charter of the UN) as follows:
"... All peoples have the right to freely determine, without external interference, their political status and pursue their economic, social and cultural development, and every State has the duty to respect this right in accordance with provisions of the Charter".
It is important to note that the right to self-determination is the right of peoples, not the right of just any group of individuals. However, there is no genuine dispute that Tibetans are a people, which under international law is defined as a group of people with a common historical tradition, a racial identity, a shared culture, linguistic unity, religious affinity, a territorial connection and a common economic life.
Given that Tibetans are a distinct people, there is no legal dispute that they have the right to self-determination. Even the United Nations General Assembly, repeatedly, in 1961 and 1965, explicitly recognized the Tibetan people's right to self-determination and called on China to respect this right. Tibetans thus stand on firm legal ground when they insist on the exercise of their right to self-determination. At the same time, because the Tibetan case is based on this internationally recognized right, China is legally incorrect when it claims that all matters concerning Tibet are Chinese domestic affairs. The advantage of using the right to self-determination as the basis for Tibet's case thus is manifold. It avoids the slippery slope of historical interpretation. By removing the historical debate, it makes the deeply ingrained beliefs of many Chinese people that Tibet always was a part of China irrelevant and has the benefit of a face saving solution. Further, it internationalizes the Tibetan issue and legitimizes the requests of internationals that China complies with its international legal obligations vis-à-vis Tibet.
The potential problem with the right to self-determination is that the law is not settled as to the scope of its implementation. When a people wishes to implement its right to self-determination by seeking full independence and a state does not want to give up control over the territory, claiming the right to territorial integrity, a tension is created, which must be resolved. Some scholars argue that a people who have the right to self-determination may choose any option, including independence or complete secession. Others argue that the right only extends to self-determination within the framework of the state. However, this dichotomy can be resolved by looking to the underlying principles of international law and by balancing the legitimacy of the state's assertion of its territorial integrity claim and the people's request for independence or secession.
A careful analysis of the tension between the Tibetan people's right to self-determination, including the right to choose independence, and China's claim to territorial integrity leads to the conclusions that this tension must be resolved in favour of Tibet for several reasons:
It would:
Therefore, from a legal point of view, Tibetans should be allowed, by virtue of their right to self-determination, to freely choose their future political status, including independence. This conclusion is based, if I may summarize, on the following grounds:
Having said that Tibetans legally are entitled to fully exercise their right to self-determination, let us explore for a few minutes what options this entails.
There are three basic options:
The major obstacles to independence are not legal but political. I will not elaborate on this point, though I know that many Tibetans favour this option, since I believe we are all too aware of the formidable political problems which this approach faces. Since I have not yet met a Tibetan who favours a total integration into the Chinese state, "I will not take time to discuss that option either. The third option for self-determination is an autonomous arrangement between the Tibetan people and China, or in His Holiness's words, an arrangement for genuine self-governance. As you all know, "His Holiness proposed negotiating such an arrangement in Strasbourg in 1988. The executive and legislative branches of the TGIE are currently in the process of discussing the terms of a possible autonomous arrangement which could meet the needs of the Tibetan people.
In an autonomous arrangement, governmental powers would be divided between a Tibetan autonomous government and the Chinese state. The powers to be divided include the powers to determine, administer and control matters of:
The term autonomy by itself is vague and rather meaningless. It makes therefore little sense to support or reject the notion of an autonomous Tibet, unless the autonomy is defined as a particular distribution of governmental powers. Depending on how these powers are divided, an autonomous arrangement either results in negligible self-governance or substantial self-governance. The current Tibet Autonomous Region is an example of negligible self-rule. The only governmental power, which theoretically lies in the Tibetan autonomous government's hands, is the power over cultural affairs. However, since the Communist Party controls that government, even that one power does not, in practice, lie in Tibetan hands. Examples of substantial self-governance include Liechtenstein, Andorra, San Marina, Tatarstan, Catalonia and Greenland. Another example is His Holiness's Strasbourg proposal, which allocates most governmental powers to Tibetans and would give to China only defense and some foreign affairs powers.
Negotiation for an autonomous arrangement must also include careful consideration of post- agreement implementation, enforcement and conflict resolution provisions and allow Tibetans to void the agreement if it is not honored by China. A detailed analysis of autonomy is not within the scope of this talk but I would like to refer you to a 700-page study conducted by ICLT and UNPO on this issue, which you can order from ICLT and a 30-page summary of which I would be glad to mail to you.
In conclusion, Tibetans, as a people, have the right to self-determination and therefore have the right to determine their future political, economic, social and cultural status. This status could take the form of independence or of an autonomous arrangement for self-governance within the framework of the Chinese state. The decision of which option to pursue is that of the Tibetan people. It is for this reason that many Tibet supporters and I advocate for the Tibetans' right to self-determination, rather than for independence, autonomy or any other option for implementation of this right. The Tibetan people can reach this decision either by delegating their authority to His Holiness, or to their elected exile government, or by calling for a referendum to be carried out in Tibet, which of course involves a host of political problems.
I hope this short explanation of the right to self-determination and the options it provides has been helpful to your understanding of the legal framework of the case of Tibet. It is our job as Tibet support groups to build the political pressure necessary for the creation of an international political environment in which the Tibetan people will be free to exercise their right to self-determination.
In closing, I would like to say that I think the time is ripe for this Tibet support movement to elevate its effectiveness to the next level. If we are efficiently organized, put strategic action plans in place and co-ordinate ourselves, we have the potential to activate hundreds of thousands of people in support of Tibet. In this spirit, I hope that we will leave Berlin with a new Tibet Support Group Network in place and with an elected steering committee to help us translate our ideas and good intentions into an effective and coordinated action in support of the Tibetan people.
Review
An Ethnic Chinese' Frank Feelings on the Crisis in TibetApril 6th, 2008
Following is the English translation of a blog posting by an ethnic Chinese expressing his feelings at the developments in Tibet and the Chinese Government's response. This English translation was published by the China Digital Times.
First Time I Feel Ashamed to be Han, and Lucky to Not Be a Party Member
The following blog post was signed as written by "a student from the Central University of Nationalities". Translated by CDT:
I've wanted to write something for a while in the wake of the latest developments in Tibetan regions. But after seeing press reports by media outlets from home and abroad, I don't know whom to believe in. I lost my judgment. I tried to start writing, but then couldn't continue because my feelings are too complex. This afternoon, I talked to a colleague again about this issue and the conversation escalated into a fight. The colleague finally used a very "Chinese Communist" style to stop me from "venting angry words." Faced with irrationality, I zipped my mouth. I've worked with a variety of people, but I didn't imagine that there are people who have been brainwashed so much, and I started to realize this issue isn't a small matter!
The key is, a lot of Han and some ethnic Tibetans with vested interests have become blind to the blue sky, white clouds, green mountains and water. Amidst the long history and mystical culture of Tibet, their brains are only thinking about how to commercialize these things. They don't know that many aspects of the Tibetan way of life, religion and custom, culture and values are gradually being dismantled. Neither do they know that the dignity of Tibetans is shedding tears, and many Tibetans are struggling"
Looking at Tibet, I sometimes feel ashamed to be a Han. Since first coming to Tibet in 2006 I often think about these issues: What on earth does Tibet need, how should it develop and who does it need to lead that development? I have no power to resist anything, nor do I have the intention to resist, after all our motherland is slowly making progress and our party is gradually inching toward democracy. As an ethnic university graduate and a Han who now works in the Tibetan region, these topics have surrounded me every day of my working life.
In a civilized world in the 21st Century, when something incredible happens in a certain area but many people around us (including Tibetans) yell out about a crackdown and mass killing, should we seriously reflect on ourselves: Why? I have picked an article by an alumni [of the Central University of Nationalities] below. As a member of the Chinese nation, no matter which ethnicity, we, the future of the country, shall rethink the whole issue!
Those Who Throw Out Angry Rhetoric Please Apologize to Tibetan Compatriots
What I write has no intention to be separatist or to damage ethnic solidarity. I love my motherland, love my people and love all my compatriots. I only hope that in this huge family, we can truly love one another, understand and tolerate one another, and truly live a harmonious life.
We always mistakenly believe that whatever we do is progressive, but we are repeatedly committing mistakes.
While walking on the streets in Lhasa, I always have a subconscious sad feeling. In a sacred place like Lhasa, I cannot find where I belong, and I've lost my direction. Jiangsu Road, Beijing Road, so on and so forth, these names pop up in front of my eyes. Roads named in Tibetan are few in number, and the city makes one feel like being in a mainland town. Children beggars swarm around me and when I see their aspiring eyes and the joy of getting some money, my heart bleeds, and language becomes pale. Occasionally, made-up ladies cozy up and wave toward me, wanting to saying something but I understand they are not just saying hello to me.
The whole sacred city is filled with aid construction. I am not saying this is not good, and Tibetan people very much appreciate the help from other ethnic groups and the care from the central government. But those Hunan-aided and Shandong-financed post boards stand up high on the top of buildings, fearing that not enough people will recognize their generosity. But this philanthropic advertising is overstretched. Every ethnicity has its dignity, so imagine, will this hurt the feelings of the Tibetans? And the assistance buildings are not constructed based on Tibetan culture and ideas, but wild shapes and structures. Will Tibetans like these houses?
Nowadays, there are so many prostitutes on the boulevards and small lanes, they number at least in the thousands. There was once a women's movement that put out a slogan that says "Sichuan women get out, husbands return home." Imagine how many people are engaged in prostitution! We cannot blame the Tibetan ethnicity, these are imports from the mainland. And their influence is so deep that it's unimaginable. Those colorful women fill the streets wide and narrow and beam their seductive eyes around the crowds, which is for sure a blasphemy on Lhasa's image. Still, we have no regret and, instead, have turned the sacred town into a setting of indulgence and satiating lust.
Some even say that Tibetans are dark-colored and dirty. Yes, Tibetans are dark-skinned, but they have a red heart and pure belief. Look at us who believe ourselves to be light-colored. We feel proud about our faces being covered with chemical compounds. Tibetans are not dirty, and their hearts are pure and kind.
We always stress the importance of Mandarin. Indeed Chinese is important and it's our national official language. But in Lhasa and many Tibetan ethnic regions, there is a popular saying that goes, "Tibetan is a formality but Mandarin is the rice bowl." That's exactly as I see it"Many Tibetan students work hard on Mandarin for their future, and, as a result, many forget their own language. Of course there are a lot of reasons for this, for example some schools don't have Tibetan language curriculum at all, and classes of mainland students are not allowed to speak Tibetan, etc. Language is the root of an ethnic group and to a great extent is a symbol that distinguishes one race from another. Without a language, an ethnic culture will also die along with it. On the other hand how many Han people understand Tibetan language and script? Which makes us feel deeply ashamed and sorry. There are so many Tibetans who can fluently speak Mandarin. I don't know whether I should be happy or sad about this, but I feel there's a serious lack of understanding between the two ethnic groups.
Han people have their own holidays and customs, so do the Tibetans. In Lhasa, along with more contact with other ethnic groups, many Tibetans started to celebrate Han holidays, such as dragon boat festival and tomb sweeping festival, etc. But few spend Tibetan holidays with Tibetans. Some say Han culture is so tolerant and so influential. But do you truly understand the Tibetan holidays?
When some people talk about sky burial, they associate it with cruelty and horror. But have you ever thought about that when a dead body is incinerated it perishes and when it gets buried it becomes part of the soil, while heavenly burial benefits other animals and alleviates their hunger, thus protecting them. What a noble burial and selfless funeral is this. But it is regarded as barbarian, primitive, cruel. So when you talk about this please read up a little and understand more about it!
Many still stubbornly believe that rice is the best staple food. But when told that Tibetans eat Tsangba [roasted barley], their facial expression reflects shock, contempt, dismissal. It's ridiculous and stupid and ignorant because tsangba is actually a pure and unpolluted natural food.
All these examples are beyond reason but they happen around us. Some only know that there are Tibetans in Tibet, but don't know that there are Tibetans in other provinces. Some only know there's a Lhasa in Tibet but don't know any other place there. But they still randomly say outrageous things about Tibet.
Let's also talk about those cadres who assisted the development of Tibet. Were/are they really coming to help Tibet? So many of them have returned to their home bases for promotions after a short stint in Tibet. I heard about a friend's uncle, who stayed in Tibet for less than four years and took 800,000 yuan back to the mainland. There are many stories like this, going back home from Tibet to skyrocket in their career or buy villas, so on and so forth. Did they come to Tibet to work for the good of Tibetans? How much contribution did they make to Tibet? Where did the money go after the state earmarked it for Tibet? I don't even want to imagine, the more I think about it the more frightful it gets.
Let me also talk about the inner land (neidi) classes for Tibetans. I don't know about other ethnic groups' neidi classes but I know quite a bit about the Tibetan ones.
Everything they study is written in Mandarin and the history they learn is also Han history. What about Tibetan history? As a Tibetan who doesn't know his/her own history, is he/she still a Tibetan? Of course there is reason for this but shall we consider their racial feelings and ethnic belonging? Many years later, many kids have made tremendous progress in Mandarin but their Tibetan level is still elementary.
Let me also talk a bit about March 14.
China's coverage of it has been indeed thorough and detailed. But some issues have been haunting me still. For instance, in the news, a lot of information was "according to reliable sources/materials." I don't know how reliable these pieces of information are. Where on earth are the sources? Why not tell us, the public?
Videos on March 14 shown on the Internet are truly saddening. No matter which ethnic group, it's heart-wrenching. But let's look at the comments and our netizens, who speak about killing or exterminating in every sentence. Why are we so extremist? Why so partial? How about let's try not to preemptively judge certain people without getting the whole story?
No ethnic group is composed of all good people. Why not say things like that? Shall we also reflect upon our own behavior and our own mistakes? To kill all Tibetans, isn't it a little irresponsible?
We did make efforts to develop solidarity and the growth of Han and Tibetan cultures. But we ignore the feelings and belief of Tibetan compatriots. We did give, but we didn't do it sincerely enough and not perfectly enough. Not only shall we give in terms of material, but also spiritual, support. We shall offer our help with an equal and caring attitude, not just to do cosmetic work. Think about it: China has run Tibet for so many years and now we have this situation over there, there are so many things we should reflect on about ourselves. We cannot always think that we are always right and we are the best.
For those who randomly say outrageous things, please apologize to our kind Tibetan compatriots. Only mutual understanding and trust can build up our truly harmonious society
(Note: this article has been deleted three times on campus Internet forum. It was delayed for republishing today [April 1], only to express my opinion, there's no other motive. Viewers' tolerance is greatly appreciated.)
Dalai Lama Urges Tibetans to be Vigilant, Nonviolent During Current CrisisApril 6th, 2008
In a special message to the Tibetan people on April 6, 2008, the Dalai Lama urged them to desist from actions that could be remotely interpreted as violent and to be vigilant saying " I know you are being provoked at every level but it is important to stick to our non-violent practice."
The Dalai Lama said, "Presidents, Prime Ministers, Foreign Ministers, Nobel Laureates, Parliamentarians, and concerned citizens from every part of the world have been sending clear and strong messages to the Chinese leadership to stop the present ongoing harsh crackdown against the Tibetan people. They have all been encouraging the Chinese government to follow a path where a mutually beneficial solution could be reached. We should create an opportunity for their efforts to bring out positive results."
Asking the Tibetan people to differentiate between Chinese Government policies and the Chinese people, the Dalai Lama said, "Our struggle is with a few in the leadership of the People's Republic of China and not with the Chinese people. Therefore we should never cause misunderstanding or do something that will hurt the Chinese people. "
Following is the full text of English translation of the Dalai Lama's message in Tibetan, which he read in Dharamsala on April 6, 2008 at an International Prayer Day, organized by the Tibetan Solidarity Committee.
STATEMENT OF HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA TO ALL TIBETANS
Dharamsala
April 6, 2008
While extending my warm greetings to all the Tibetans in Tibet, I would like to share some of my thoughts.
1. Since March 10 this year, we have witnessed protests and demonstrations in almost all parts of Tibet, even in a few cities in Mainland China by students, which are the outburst of long pent-up physical and mental anguish of the Tibetans and the feeling of deep resentment against the suppression of the rights of Tibetan people, lack of religious freedom and for trying to distort the truth at every occasion, such as saying that Tibetans look towards the Chinese Communist Party as the "Living Buddha", is an ultra leftist statement and smacks of Han chauvinism. I am very much saddened and concerned by the use of arms to suppress the peaceful demonstrations of Tibetan people's aspirations that have resulted in unrest in Tibet, causing many deaths, and much more causalities, detention, and injury. Such suppression and suffering are very unfortunate and tragic which will reduce any compassionate person to tears. I, however, feel helpless in the face of these tragic incidents.
2. I pray for all the Tibetans as well as Chinese who have lost their lives during the current crisis.
3. The recent protests all over Tibet have not only contradicted but also shattered the People Republic of China's propaganda that except for a few "reactionaries", the majority of Tibetans enjoy a prosperous and contented life. These protests have made it very clear that Tibetans in the three provinces of Tibet, U-tsang, Kham and Amdo, harbor the same aspirations and hopes. These protests have also conveyed to the world that the Tibet issue can no longer be neglected. These protests highlight the need to find a way to resolve the issue through "finding truth from facts". The courage and determination of those Tibetans who have, for the greater interests of Tibetan people, demonstrated their deep anguish and hopes by risking everything is very commendable as the world community has acknowledged and supported the spirit of these Tibetans.
4. I deeply appreciate the acts of many Tibetan government employees and Communist Party cadres who have, without losing their Tibetan identity, shown grit and sense of what is right during the present crisis. In future, I would appeal to the Tibetan Party cadres and government employees not to look always for their personal benefit, but to work for safeguarding the larger interests of Tibet by reporting the real sentiments of the Tibetan people to their superiors in the Party and try to give unbiased guidance to the Tibetan people.
5. Presidents, Prime Ministers, Foreign Ministers, Nobel Laureates, Parliamentarians, and concerned citizens from every part of the world have been sending clear and strong messages to the Chinese leadership to stop the present ongoing harsh crackdown against the Tibetan people. They have all been encouraging the Chinese government to follow a path where a mutually beneficial solution could be reached. We should create an opportunity for their efforts to bring out positive results. I know you are being provoked at every level but it is important to stick to our non-violent practice.
6. The Chinese authorities have been making false allegations against myself and the Central Tibetan Administration for instigating and orchestrating the recent events in Tibet. These allegations are totally untrue. I have made repeated appeals for an independent and respected international body to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. I am sure this independent body will uncover the truth. If the People's Republic of China has any basis and proof of evidence to back their allegations, they need to disclose these to the world. Just making allegations is not enough.
7. For the future of Tibet, I have decided to find a solution within the framework of the People's Republic of China. Since 1974, I have sincerely remained steadfast to the mutually beneficial Middle-Way Approach. The whole world knows this. The Middle-Way Approach means that all Tibetans must be governed by similar administration that enjoys meaningful National Regional Autonomy and all the provisions in it, self-rule and full decision-making, except for matters concerning foreign relations and national defense. However, I have said it from the beginning that the Tibetans in Tibet have the right to make the final decision for the future of Tibet.
8. The hosting of the Olympic games this year is a matter of great pride to the 1.2 billion Chinese people. I have from the very beginning supported the holding of these Games in Beijing. My position on this remains unchanged. I feel the Tibetans should not cause any hindrance to the Games. It is the legitimate right of every Tibetan to struggle for their freedoms and rights. On the other hand, it will be futile and not helpful to anyone if we do something that will create hatred in the minds of the Chinese people. On the contrary, we need to foster trust and respect in our hearts in order to create a harmonious society, as this cannot be built on the basis of force and intimidation.
9. Our struggle is with a few in the leadership of the People's Republic of China and not with the Chinese people. Therefore we should never cause misunderstanding or do something that will hurt the Chinese people. Even during this difficult situation, many Chinese intellectuals, writers and lawyers in Mainland China and other parts of the world have sympathized and shown us their solidarity by issuing statements, writing articles and offering pledges of support that is overwhelming. I have recently issued an appeal to the Chinese people all over the world on 28th March, which I hope you will hear and read.
10. If the present situation in Tibet continues, I am very much concerned that the Chinese government will unleash more force and increase the suppression of Tibetan people. Because of my moral obligation and responsibility to the Tibetan people, I have repeatedly asked the concerned leadership of the PRC to immediately stop their suppression in all parts of Tibet and withdraw its armed police and troops. If this brings result, I would also advise the Tibetans to stop all the current protests.
11. I want to urge my fellow Tibetans who live in freedom outside Tibet to be extra vigilant as they voice their feelings on the developments in Tibet. We should not engage in any action that could be even remotely interpreted as violent. Even under the most provocative of situations we must not allow our most precious and deeply held values to be compromised. I firmly believe that we will achieve success through our non-violent path. We must be wise to understand where the unprecedented affection and support for our cause stems from.
12. As Tibet is currently virtually closed and no international media is allowed there, I doubt my message will reach the Tibetans in Tibet. But I hope through media and by word of mouth, it will be passed on to the majority of you.
13. Finally, I want to reiterate and appeal once again to Tibetans to practice non-violence and not waver from this path, however serious the situation might be.
The Dalai Lama
From Germans largest newspaper Bild am Sonntag April 6, 2008 by reporter Martin S. Lambeck:
General-Direktor Michael Vesper of the German Olympic Comite said on TV: There will be no happy Olympic games in China. Of course the German participants may demonstrate. So the German Olympic Comite allows its atheletes to demonstrate against what happend in Tibet and the human right in China.
Meaning of the reporter: The first member of a Olympic comite who has a clear stand on the question of China and Tibet.
Which candidate of the primaries is following this example ?
Greetings from Germany,
International Campaign for Tibet calls on Dutch Olympic Committee to support Olympic Torch re-routing ICT PRESS RELEASE April 4th, 2008 Olympics Logo
In advance of meetings next week between the Executive International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Association of National Olympic Committees in Beijing, the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) in Amsterdam has personally delivered a letter to the Netherlands National Olympic Committee (NOC), expressing ICT’s deep concern at the security risks and the risks to civilians of unrest related to the Olympic Torch’s journey through Tibet and urged the Dutch NOC to convey these concerns during their meetings in Beijing. In the letter to the Dutch NOC, ICT stated: “The IOC must withdraw its authorization for the running of the Olympic Torch through the Tibetan Autonomous Region and other Tibetan autonomous areas of the PRC. The IOC, by its own admission, is not a political organization, but it is naive, if not irresponsible, to conduct such a needlessly provocative act that will inject another element of resentment into an already unstable situation.” “The Olympic Torch, a symbol of peace, does not belong to Beijing but to citizens around the world, including the Tibetan people. It is in their name that we call for the IOC to re-route the Olympic Torch and avoid a further decline in an already tragic situation,” the letter continued. The Beijing Olympic Committee intends to run the Olympic Torch up Mount Everest, through the Tibetan Autonomous Region, as well as Tibetan areas of Gansu, Qinghai and Sichuan Provinces. All provinces have seen major outbreaks of Tibetan protest and subsequent crackdown by Chinese security forces in recent weeks. No western journalists or independent observers are currently allowed into Tibetan areas. The IOC's has dismissed appeals by Tibet campaigners to withdraw the torch from Tibet, using language which demonstrates a profound failure to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation there. “The IOC seems totally out of touch with the situation on the ground in Tibet. By refusing to acknowledge just how far the situation has declined in Tibet in recent weeks, the IOC is putting Tibetan lives at risk and they must be held accountable for that,” said Tsering Jampa, Executive Director of ICT Europe.
This is according to Amnesty International.
Please read the following article from the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7325754.stm
In the eighties, we in the American student movement helped bring down South African Apartheid (the continuous oppression and brutalizing of the Black South African Majority by the Dutch Afrikaner minority "government").
How? By boycotting all things coming from that perverse system, including forcing our colleges and universities to divest all business deals with the South African "authorities".
Now, the Chinese "authorities" must be taught the same lesson.
They lead poison our children with arrogant impunity. They crush freedom of speech within their own borders. And they are systematically moving to destroy one of the earths most beatific indigineous cultures, the Tibetan people.
And this is the nation the Olympic committee chooses to reward with this summer's games?
BOYCOTT THIS ABOMINATION TO BASIC HUMAN DECENCY. BOYCOTT THE OLYMPICS AND ALL PRODUCTS COMING FROM THIS TOXIC REGIME. OLYMPIC ATHLETES WILL BE DAMAGING THEIR BODIES JUST BREATHING THE TOXIC AIR OF BEIJING LET ALONE THE TOXIC KARMA THAT RESIDES THERE AS WELL.
THEIR FOOD FOR EXPORT IS CONSISTENTLY CONTAMINATED WITH POISONS. THEIR TOYS FOR EXPORT ARE LOADED WITH LEAD, A BIO-ACCUMULATIVE KILLER AND BRAIN DAMAGER. AND AS IF THIS WEREN'T BAD ENOUGH, THEY ARE EXECUTING A SLICKLY VEILED GENOCIDE AGAINST THE TIBETAN PEOPLE.
Just because they have a frenetically growing economy that sold-out "leaders" are desperate to suck-up to is no reason for the rest of us to follow them into hell.
I truly weep for the Chinese people that must live under the ongoing threat of Tienneman Square brutality by a tyrannical regime which shows zero respect for the human rights of its own citizens and for the citizens of this global village as well.
And as to the bogus criticisms of China's twisted "leadership" about American hegemony... AT LEAST HERE IN AMERICA, WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE OUR OPINIONS, NO MATTER HOW CONTRARY TO THE GOVERNMENT'S POSITIONS, TO ORGANIZE OURSELVES IN DIRECT OPPOSITION TO TYRANNY, AND TO THEN ELECT NEW LEADERS WHO CAN RESTORE JUSTICE AND SANITY TO OUR FUNCTIONING.
CHINA'S HISTORY IS LITTERED WITH BRUTAL DESPOTS WHO CRUELLY TWIST AND ABUSE THEIR AUTHORITY FOR DECADES ON END...UNLESS WE DO SOMETHING TO STOP THEM.
FOR THE SAKE OF THE CHINESE PEOPLE, FOR THE SAKE OF TIBET, FOR THE SAKE OF GLOBAL INTEGRITY.
BOYCOTT THE CHINESE "GOVERNMENT" NOW !!!
YES WE CAN !!!
YES WE MUST !!!
YES WE WILL !!!
THE PEOPLE UNITED CAN NEVER BE DEFEATED !!!
Correspondent Friedemann Diederichs of German Westline newspapers today decribes Bush II as a lame Duck, he has no influence and power any more, because the world is already looking at the new President of the USA. Since yesterday this lame Duck is flying to eastern Europe for the last NATO-top in Bush II time and for a last meeting with Russian President Putin, who in kontrast with Bush still has a very powerful position in his country and the world.
Bush II hopes to get more involvement from NATO-partners in Afganistan, to have something positive at the end of his damaged career as President of the USA. Bush tries to get Ukrain and Georgia into NATO, but this will not happen due to resistance form other countries.
Friedemann Diederichs is very sceptical about anything positive Bush II has done during his time as President of the USA and this is also the general feeling in Germany. Germans will be happy when the Bush-area has ended.
I hope and I'm confident that after the first period of Barack Obama we will be looking differently at his time in office as President of the USA.
Greetings from Germany, Liebe Grusse aus Deutschland fur jeder der Deutsch versteht, I'm next looking soccer UEFA-Cup: Schalke04 = FC Barcelona.
The German government has decided not to promote a boycot of the Olympic Games in China, but continue to talk about Tibet to the Chinese leaders when there is contact like this week on level of ministers. Mrs. Merkel (premier) does not go to the opening of the games, but they say now she never wanted to go.
For Barack Obama this could be his stand on the Tibetian question: We not agree what happened in Tibet, we believe in direct contact between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese leaders and will discuss the matter with China when possible.
Let's hope their petition is seen by enough people to make a difference!
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/24/world/asia/24china.html?hp
This is a very interesting perspective on the events in Tibet. I wonder where Obama stands on this issue.
op-ed from NYTimes 3/22/2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/22/opinion/22french.html?scp=1&sq=tibet+op-ed&st=nyt
