jbet777/tibet

U.S. consulate in Tibet
By Nicholas Kralev
April 10, 2008

From the page: "The United States wants to open a consulate in Tibet to gain full access to developments in the Chinese province, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said yesterday in an implicit acknowledgement of global criticism of China's crackdown on dissent.

She did not directly connect events in Tibet to the upcoming Summer Olympics, but she expressed displeasure with China's account of recent developments in the Himalayan region.

"We pressed for consular access for diplomats into Tibet," Miss Rice told a Senate Appropriations subcommittee. "We had some limited access. Frankly it wasn't good enough."

Just one U.S. diplomat has been allowed to visit since protests began last month."

Tutu joins pro-Tibet vigil in San Francisco
April 09, 2008, 18:30

From the page: "Archbishop Desmond Tutu and actor Richard Gere joined thousands at a pro-Tibet vigil in San Francisco where they both encouraged heads of state to boycott the opening ceremony at the Beijing Olympics this summer.

Many human rights groups have mobilised in San Francisco, the only US city to host the Olympic torch as it makes its way to the games in August, with reasons for opposition ranges from China's rule in Tibet to Beijing's policies toward Darfur and Burma."

Tibetan monks protest in front of foreign reporters: witness
April 9, 2008.

From the page: "BEIJING (AFP) -- Monks at a major Tibetan Buddhist monastery in northwest China defied authorities to stage a protest in front of foreign reporters on Wednesday, one of the journalists said.

The incident at Gansu province's Labrang monastery marked the second time demonstrating monks upstaged a government-escorted foreign media tour of riot-hit Tibetan regions and indicated anti-China tensions continued to simmer.

About 15 monks from the monastery approached the reporters carrying banners and voicing support for the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, said Caroline Puel, a journalist with France's Le Point magazine who witnessed the incident.

"They said in Chinese, 'We want more freedom, more human rights and we want to see the Dalai Lama'," Puel told AFP by phone.

The protest lasted about 10 minutes and ended when government officials conducting the tour urged the foreign journalists to leave, she added."

Rudd raises Tibet rights issues in China
09 April 2008

From the page: "Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has delivered a blunt message to China in a speech in Beijing, saying there are significant human rights problems in Tibet.

"Australia, like most other countries, recognises China sovereignty over Tibet but we also believe it is necessary to recognise there are significant human rights problems in Tibet," Mr Rudd told students at Peking University on the first day of his visit to China.

"The current situation in Tibet is of concern to Australians.

"We recognise the need for all parties to avoid silence and find a solution through dialogue," he said in the speech, delivered in Mandarin.

The Chinese government is already upset with comments Mr Rudd made in the US last week, in which he condemned human rights abuses in Tibet and called on China to talk to exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.

Mr Rudd has emphasised the need for Australia to speak frankly with China on issues such as Tibet.

"As a longstanding friend of China I intend to have a straightforward discussion with China's leaders on this," he told an audience of about 600 students.

"We wish to see the year 2008 as one of harmony and celebration - not one of conflict and contention."

From the page:


"....Chinese brothers and sisters -- wherever you may be -- with deep concern I appeal to you to help dispel the misunderstandings between our two communities. Moreover, I appeal to you to help us find a peaceful, lasting solution to the problem of Tibet through dialogue in the spirit of understanding and accommodation.

With my prayers,

The Dalai Lama

March 28, 2008"