Posted on 03/22/2008 7:01:20 PM PDT by indcons
China on Saturday vowed to “resolutely crush” the “Tibet independence forces” even as the Dalai Lama, Buddhist spiritual leader, warned that the younger generation may launch more vigorous and violent struggle against Beijing after his death.
Updating its earlier toll of 13 in the unrest in Lhasa, which started on March 10 coinciding with the anniversary of a failed 1959 uprising against Communist rule in Tibet, Chinese authorities said the violence claimed the lives of 18 civilians and a police officer.
“[We must] resolutely crush the ‘Tibet independence’ forces’ conspiracy and sabotaging activities,” The People’s Daily, the mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), said in a hard-hitting commentary on Saturday as Beijing poured in thousands of Chinese troops to assert control in the restive Tibetans-inhabited regions of the country.
China alleged that the violent incidents were “masterminded” by the Dalai Lama “clique” with the “vicious intention” of undermining the Olympics and splitting China. The Dalai Lama has denied the charge, and said he is ready for a dialogue with Beijing. The Tibetan leader, however, cautioned China that his death may result in a more vigorous struggle by Tibetans against Communist rule as the younger generation had a “stronger spirit” to fight injustice.
“Both inside and outside (Tibet), the older generation may go away, but the newer generations carry the same spirit. Sometimes it’s even stronger. So after my death a younger generation will come up,” the Dalai Lama told the Newsweek magazine.
He said he was worried about the possibility of greater violence after him as he was fully committed to amity between the Tibetans and the Chinese. Amid attempts by the U.S. and other Western powers to ratchet up pressure on Beijing to hold a dialogue with the Dalai Lama, China hit back, claiming that nearly 100 countries had demonstrated their support to its action to maintain its national sovereignty, territorial integrity and stability in Tibet.
“It is a clear proof that the international community is on the side of China,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang was quoted as saying by the official Xinhua news agency.
Dismissing the Dalai Lama as a political refugee engaged in activities of splitting China, Mr. Qin said China opposed any “encouragement or support” for the secessionist attempts of the “Dalai clique” which violated the basic principles of international relations.
China’s tough response came a day after U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi met the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India and demanded an “independent, outside” investigation into Beijing’s allegation of the monk being the instigator. She also asked all “freedom-loving” people to speak out against China’s “oppression” in Tibet.
Republican presidential hopeful John McCain, now on a visit to Paris, also criticised China’s actions, saying the crackdown in Tibet “is not correct.”
“The people there are being subjected to mistreatment that is not acceptable with the conduct of a world power, which China is,” Mr. McCain told reporters.
European Parliament President Hans-Gert Poettering said a boycott of the Beijing Olympics was “justified” if China shunned talks with the Dalai Lama.
China has insisted that the Dalai Lama must recognise Tibet and Taiwan as parts of China and undergo a “thorough review of himself” to create conditions for talks.
Authorities in Beijing said the charred bodies of five persons, including a married couple and an eight-month-old baby girl, were found in a motorcycle garage in Dagze county of Lhasa on Friday, taking the toll in the unrest to 19. Quoting the regional government, the official Xinhua news agency said 382 civilians were injured in the riots which also caused an economic loss of $ 34.59 million.
Beijing has also intensified its hunt for the “most wanted” suspects for the Lhasa riots, which had spread to Tibetan-inhabited areas in Sichuan and Gansu provinces.
Police said 183 “perpetrators” of the riots had surrendered to them so far ever since a deadline was issued to turn themselves in before Monday midnight. — PTI
Ping
Interesting observation :)
T for Terror? T for Tyranny? They must have bought the “family-pak”...
Let’s resolutely crush China’s plan to host a successful, well-attended Olympics.
Where are the French? And the rest of the liberal/socialist world? They screamed bloody murder about opposing a rapist, terrorist criminal, and now they say nothing when the Chicoms bust Tibetan Monk heads...
With a news blackout it could be happening now. Of course modern technology may get some word out which will be deemed rumors in Beijing. One thing is sure. After the Olympics any “unfinished business” will be done.
The liberal/socialist/Third world will issue pious statements and do little else. This was their standard operating procedure during various Soviet massacres during the Cold War as well.
I think we will see an uprising in Tiannamen Square, Tibet, Taiwan (who just elected a pro-Chinese President) and unrest in Hong Kong.
Myranmar’s junta is still beating down the monks but I could see their people rising up again if the riots continue in Tibet.
Napal is sitting on pins and needles and will be brought into the fray sooner rather than later.
I suspect financial support will be funneling in from Japan, Europe, USA, Europe and other parts of Asia to support the freedom fighters.
The Chinese probably have high alert security squads protecting the bird’s nest and other Olympic “landmarks” in Bejing and Dalian as we speak.
I agree entirely.....to be honest, I am exploring ideas about what I can beyond being a keyboard warrior. The poor Tibetians are suffering at the hands of an atheist, genocidal ChiCom regime.
I wish there was a “not made in China” website, sort of an Amazon for everything-we-get-from-China-but-comes-from-somewhere-else. It would be nice if I could buy clothes and know that it’s not enriching a totalitarian regime.
Giving MFN status to anyone but Mexico is lunacy. Chinese aren’t flooding across our border for economic reasons, Mexicans are.
It's not a 'crackdown', it's genocide, PeeWee. The operative term is not 'correct/incorrect', PeeWee, the proper term is 'pure evil'. Lord help this fair land when gutless head cases like PeeWee are foist on us as candidates for high office.
BTTT....I’m getting some ideas after reading your post.
I’m afraid you’re right.
“resolutely crush” the “Tibet independence forces”
Yikes
Like father like son.
You can count on the Bushes to stay silent.
What a disgrace.
I used to have a bookmark to a website that featured Made in US goods ranging from toys to electronics. I’ll see if I can find it.
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