China warns of "life and death struggle" over Tibet

[girl gone mad]

Source: Yahoo/Reuters

BEIJING (Reuters) - China warned of a "life and death" struggle with the Dalai Lama on Wednesday, as it sought to end a wave of protests in its Tibetan regions with arrests and tightened political control.
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Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has accused the Tibetan spiritual leader of masterminding the protests -- which culminated in a riot on Friday in Tibet's capital, Lhasa -- from his base in the Indian town of Dharamsala, where he lives in exile.

"We are in the midst of a fierce struggle involving blood and fire, a life and death struggle with the Dalai Clique," Tibet's Communist Party secretary, Zhang Qingli, told a teleconference of the region's government and Party leaders.

...

China's state-run media says 105 people surrendered to police for taking part in the Lhasa protests after authorities set a midnight deadline for rioters to turn themselves in over the violence that the Dalai Lama's officials believe killed 99.

China, whose Communist troops entered Tibet in 1950 after taking power in Beijing, puts the death toll in Lhasa at 13. Foreign media are denied access to the area without government permission, making the competing claims difficult to verify.


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080319/ts_nm/china_tibet_dc

[napoleon_in_rags]

1. Ooh China, so manly.

Boldy daring to struggle against the Dalai Lama. WTF???

[David__77]

8. The Dalai Lama supporting armed guerrillas who operated well into the 70's.

They conducted violent activities in China for many years. There was, indeed, a war. And the Dalai Lama had his role in that war.

[SpiralHawk]

13. A link?

Can you please demonstrate with link -- from a non-chinese source - that the Tibetan people actually defended their homes from the brutal and illegal invasion and occupation of the Chinese army?

And that the Dalai Lama advocated the use of force for the people to defend their homes and families from the invasion and occupation?

[JeffR]

2. If there were any justice on earth, China would be forced by the

international community to free Tibet, immediately. But there is no justice on earth.

[seriousstan]

3. The China apologists?

[Demeter]

4. What Exactly Does Tibet Have That China Wants?

Or is it just the thrill of domination?

[WCGreen]

5. A Buffer between India...

That was what happened at the beginning...

Now, well, Mao is dead, the communists are all capitalists and Beijing is going to sponsor the Olympics after brutally putting down a protest...

Thank god we saved the world from brutal dictators...

[Demeter]

6. I Can't Imagine India Trying to Occupy Tibet, Frankly

or even trying to develop a Sphere of Influence, to date my political education.

So either Tibet has something worth having, or China's policy is just as stupid as our Cuban policy of the last 50 years.

[girl gone mad]

7. My take is..

this is a preemptive strike meant to prevent outbursts from occurring during the actual Olympics. They are jailing and killing those they think could cause trouble.

[Demeter]

15. Yes I Can SeeThat, but Tibet Is So Removed From The Olypics Site

and has been China's victim for 50 years.

[Art_from_Ark]

17. Why is China insistent on occupying Tibet, you ask?

I believe you'll find your answer here:

http://money.cnn.com/2007/02/20/magazines/fortune/lustgarten_china.fortune/index.htm

[Demeter]

18. Thank You. Just As I Suspected: Theft

[donkeyotay]

19. That makes sense. I'd been wondering why as well. nt

[David__77]

9. All Chinese people view Tibet as an integral part of China.

Progressive Chinese too. No Chinese people will support the dismemberment of their country.

[Mudoria]

10. It's funny but the people of Tibet have never thought

of themselves as an integral part of China. I have an idea that the citizens of Taiwan after seeing this will decide to never be ruled by Beijing. Are you some kind of apologist for the Chinese government?

[FarCenter]

22. The govenment of Taiwan have not renounce their sovreignty over Tibet

I believe that the formal position of the government of Taiwan is that they are the "government in exile" of all of China, including Tibet.

For decades the government in Taiwan included Members of Parliament representing each of the provinces of China. Since elections in their seats could not be held, these Kuomintang representatives enjoyed permanent status as MPs.

Possibly someone in Taipei still represents Tibet?

[SujiwanKenobee]

11. You seem to be an apologist for the Chinese in your posts. N/T

Tibet and China do not mix well.

[alarimer]

16. It's more important what the people of Tibet think

China can go to hell. The sooner the better too.

Tibetans are NOT Chinese; this is a SOVEREIGN nation that was illegally invaded (Hmmm, seems we learned something- hope we won't be in Iraq for 50 years). Fuck China.

[DrCory]

20. Well, that settles it!

If the Han feel that way, it must be okay! Why are you such a shill for the PRC?

[LeftishBrit]

12. All very depressing.

Anyone concerned about the current situation, and the long occupation of Tibet, may want to follow this link:

www.avaaz.org

[gorbal]

21. They have a petition up

It's here

http://www.avaaz.org/en/tibet_end_the_violence/

I know it seems like a little but every little bit helps.

[Thothmes]

14. Unfortunately, it will be the PLA that decides the final outcome.