The world must not forget Tibet
James Forsyth 2:41pm
The New York Times has a great tick-tock on the riots in Tibet, it is the best thing I’ve read yet on what has gone on there these past few days. Intriguingly, the police initially backed away from confrontation with the protesters perhaps because of a desire to avoid reminding the world just what kind of regime China is ruled by so close to the Olympics.
However, this Chinese passivity did not last long: “The Chinese authorities have also confirmed that army troops had arrived in Lhasa by March 15, saying their role was limited to traffic control and securing military property. But many people question if some of those troops were involved in the crackdown. Several armored vehicles had their license plates removed or covered in white paper.
Mr. Miles noticed that many of the People’s Armed Police officers actually appeared to be wearing irregular uniforms. One military analyst who studied photographs of the scene concluded that some armored vehicles belonged to an elite military unit. Witnesses reported hearing the sounds of gunshots throughout that Saturday afternoon.” The press blackout the Chinese have imposed means that we are unsure of what the current situation in Tibet is and without information or pictures interest in the story could rapidly dwindle. But it is essential that we do not forget Tibet. The relative restraint that China has shown demonstrates that it is not impervious to international pressure, especially with the Olympics close at hand. Continuing interest in the story will, hopefully, act as a check on Chinese actions in Tibet as well as offering some protection to those Chinese intellectuals brave enough to question the Beijing government’s version of events.
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George Steiner
March 24th, 2008 3:54pm Report this commentWhat kind of a regime is China ruled by? And Iran. And Russia. And Venezuella. And Pakistan. And Burma. And so on. Crocodile tears Mr. Forsyth.
Max Kaye
March 24th, 2008 5:44pm Report this commentWhat makes anyone so sure that a Tibet under Tibetan Buddhism would be a beacon of individual freedom and prosperity?
Besides, why the surprise? We all know that China has a rotten regime. They may hold back a bit until the end of the Olympics, but after August they'll let rip. We can only hope that China will reform itself when the benefits of a free and open society become clearer to them. On this occasion, the use - or threat - of force would not be helpful. As for economic 'sanctions': who will suffer most? I've just noticed that my iPod is made in China. Would I give it up in protest? My honest answer: No. I'm not in favour of pointless gestures - or perhaps just selfish.
mike
March 24th, 2008 6:59pm Report this commentI'm with George, we have problems of our own to worry about.We need to stop messing with the folk of other countries. Been doing it for far too long and it always ends in tears. The only way a country gets well, is for its own people to fix what's broken. Like we did, and France did, and America did. It's called people power, and refers to the people who were born there and not our bloody Crusaders.
David Williamson
March 24th, 2008 11:03pm Report this commentMike, Yeah, right, I am sure the Tibetan people will expel the Chinese troops - what is taking them so long? Sure, we have many problems of our own.
David Lindsay
March 25th, 2008 12:07am Report this commentKate Hoey is right (as she generally is) to call for protests when the Olympic Flame is in London, "about conditions in China". Have you got that? In China. Including Tibet, now as ever an integral part of China.
mike
March 25th, 2008 10:36am Report this commentDavid Williamson, so what do you suggest then Dave ? How would you get the troops to leave ? Perhaps we could get the old team of Blair and Bush back together, that should sort it, what do you think ?
Nicholas
March 25th, 2008 11:32am Report this comment"The only way a country gets well, is for its own people to fix what's broken." Remember Tiananmen Square in 1989, mike? I do. Pro-democracy students and demonstrators were massacred by Army units. Not quite like our miners strike, eh? After the massacre thousands of the participants were hunted down, incarcerated, tortured and executed, some publicly. Many fled across the border to temporary safety in Hong Kong. That territory was of course handed over to the totalitarian, communist Peoples Republic of China in 1997
And Tibet is an illegally occupied country invaded by the Chinese.
I just wonder if your views would be the same if China's government was extreme right-wing instead of communist?
mike
March 25th, 2008 12:54pm Report this commentHi Nick, it takes time. Trouble is we charge in all over the place. I'm sure you know we were sorting things out over in Afghanistan a 100 or so years ago, wonder what would have happened if we had minded our own then. The only countries who get a permanent fix, do it themselves.The guy who wrote this piece, do you think he really, really gives a damn ? It's the money stupid. Tomorrow he'll be supporting another good cause, and if we read his tripe, and for that moment feel sorry for the cause of the day we'll feel we have done our bit.Now if You tell me that you gave up your job and went over to Tiananmen Square to show you supported those being tortured, then my admiration for you would be immense. But you didn't did you ? What did you do apart from talk ? Nothing ? Thought so, at least I don't pretend that the price of Gas is less important to me than some poor soul in a far away land. Gas and food prices I worry about, and if truth be known so do you.However I will read, and for a minute feel sorry for tomorrows victims, and then I'll check my Council Tax Bill again, it went up by 11.9%,now that really got me annoyed.The guy running the council that put my bill up was a Tory for the record, explain that to me Mr. Cameron if you can.
wangdi
April 6th, 2008 6:11am Report this commenti agree with mike,max, david williamson and i thank david and nicholas for their concern for both the Chinese and Tibetans who are suffering under a totalitarian regime. We Tibetans too dont expect US, UK or Nato to set things right for us, IT IS US who have to do it. Remember HH the Dalai Lama would be the first person to speak against use of force towards China . But what we are asking for is support for TRUTH and JUSTICE from the people of the free world coz a single hand of support gives power to hundred in Tibet to raise their voice in face of bullets and torture. Its people's support that we need to let China know that WORLD IS WATCHING. It was silence that allowed Pol Pot to continue with killing fields, Hitler to Holocaust and Saddam to gas Kurd & Shias. We just need your concern for NEVER AGAIN.
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