Tibet's exiled spiritual leader and Nobel Prize Winner The Dalai Lama expressed sadness and dismay around the recent
reaction of the Chinese government in relation to Tibetan protesters.
    "So now every second it goes nearer.  I  feel very sad, very serious, very anxious. I cannot do anything," the Dalai Lama told a group of  reporters at the Himalayan headquarters yesterday.

 The Chinese government issued a surrender notice to the protesters on Saturday demanding that they give themselves up by midnight.  Governmental official, Champa Phuntsok, told a group of reporters during a special briefing in China that if the protesters turned themselves in they would be "treated with leniency within the framework of the law.  Otherwise, Phuntsok promised that the protestors wwould suffer harsh and dire consequences.

The confrontation stems from protests that began on March 10, 2008 which is the anniversary of the 1959 failed Tibetan revolt against the Chinese.  Tibet had been functioning as an independent nation for decades before the communist Chinese marched in and took over the country in 1950.  The people of Tibet have opposed the take over ever since.  It was this action that led to the exile of Tibet's top Buddhist cleric, The Dalai Lama.

Bad blood between between the Chinese and the Tibetans stem from the ongoing and intensifying control by the occupying government.  The Chines government is trying to discourage Buddhist practices.  Last Friday Tibetan monks and supporters protesting China's take over of the country gathered in what began as a peaceful protest.  As tempers rose Tibetans are reported to have attacked Chinese people, burning down their businesses in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa.  Chinese officials report that 16 people died during last week's protest and that dozens of people were injured.  The Tibetan government reports much a much higher toll saying that there were 80 deaths. 

The American government is so concerned about the issue that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told reporters on Monday  that she is calling for China to show some restraint.  She urged them to explore ways to involve the Dalai Lama in the issue.  The people of Tibet still revere The Dalai Lama. 

    "There's been a kind of missed opportunity for the Chinese to engage the Dalai Lama." Rice said.  She went on to describe The Dalai Lama a is a  voice of authority when it comes to the people of Tibet and the situation with China.  Rice stated that she felt that his input could help.  Rice considers The Dalai Lama a voice of authority whose "moral weight" could aid in stabilizing the area.  She said that the Chinese government is missing a prime opportunity by not engaging The Dalai Lama in the peace making process.   Chinese officials claim that The Dalai Lama is responsible for planning and encouraging the outbreaks.  They say that The Dalai Lama organized, premeditated, masterminded and incited" the protests under the urging of Tibet independence separatist forces.  They claim that 3 of the 16 people reported to be killed during the protests on Friday actually jumped out of a building to avoid arrest.  The 13 other casualties were said to be "innocent civilians Chinese."  Rice stated that she does not believe that The Dalai Lama is a separatist.

Never the less, Chinese troops have already started began to pour through the streets of Lhasa enforcing the curfew.  The Times of London reports that Chinese authorities have been publically displaying Tibetan prisoners.  According to the report a convoy of four trucks carrying 40 Tibetan men and women (most of them young but some elderly among them) drove through the city.  The prisoners were handcuffed.  A Chinese soldier stood behind the prisoners forcing them to hold their heads down. Chinese police have also started house-to-house searches checking identity cards and permits to stay in Lhasa. Anyone found with out a permit slip is arrested and imprisoned.

Lhasa is not the only province involved.  Chinese troops are not entering surrounding western provinces to deal with sympathy protests in Gansu, Sichuan and Quinghai provinces.   Thousands of monks along with civilian Tibetans collided with Chinese police on Monday in Ganau'a Maqu.  One report from the region lists 10 injured police officers.

Things were no better in Lanzhou city where at he Northwest Minorities University's soccer field nearly 500 Tibetan students gathered in an overnight vigil.  Many tired to participate in a march but were blocked by officials from leaving the university campus. The government is taking photos of all participating students.  The students were closely watched but no arrests were made.  Troops are reported to be moving into Ma'erkang County where seven are said to have been killed. 

In violation of the regulations involving the Olympics China has expelled reporters from Tibet clamping down on the flow of information and making it difficult to get correct death or injury counts.  In Lhasa the police expelled reporters from three Hong Kong tv stations.  They also made one of their television stations delete news about the Friday unrest.  Despite the lock down, protests continue in Nepal where police beat 100 Tibetan protesters and monks with batons.  The gathering took place near the main United Nations office in Katmandu on Monday.  There were 44 arrests.

With police still patrolling the streets, officials claim that Lhasa has now returned to a peaceful state. People are going back to work and school.  Some reports say that the price of food, gas and other necessities are rapidly rising in price.

With all of this unrest over human right erupting in China it seems to be the most unlikely place to be holding the Olympics

March 14, 2008

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