By Cue Cia and Bud Chaneng
Moving beyond the restoration of law and order in Lhasa, reporting of Tibetan affairs continue to display stark extremes, one agitating independence and human rights while supporting draconian clamp down and allegations of blaming foreign conspiracy on the other end.
The Chinese government has exercised restraint in restoring law and order in Lhasa, just as any sovereign democratic government would. Even the Dalai Lama tried to dissociate himself from the rioters and threatened to resign should violence continued.
Moving beyond the restoration of law and order in Lhasa, reporting of Tibetan affairs continue to display stark extremes, one agitating independence and human rights while supporting draconian clamp down and allegations of blaming foreign conspiracy on the other end.
The Chinese government has exercised restraint in restoring law and order in Lhasa, just as any sovereign democratic government would. Even the Dalai Lama tried to dissociate himself from the rioters and threatened to resign should violence continued.
Footage on scenes of aggressive agitators and rioters are clear testimony that the demonstrations are not innocuous, spontaneous nor peaceful. The display of violence is premeditated, well orchestrated and has caught the Chinese authorities off guard. When men in robes started to attack innocents, damage and loot properties, then they are no more men of peace which Buddhism preaches and therefore do not deserve respect.
They are considered criminals bent on disruptive peace, and the full extent of law must be applied to bring these people to justice. The authorities have every right and responsibility to its citizens to clamp down on violence, criminal acts, disruptive and terrorist behaviour. Fortunately, the Chinese security forces have only tear gas and blank bullets and the security measures so far have been effective.
On the whole, Tibetans have improved economically; their standard of living is way higher than those days of serfdom under the Lamas. Beijing has invested heavily in communications, industrial development and social amenities in Tibet. Tibetan culture and Buddhist spirit are still very much alive.
Nevertheless, seething discontent among some quarters of Tibetans need to be addressed. Pockets of lingering disturbances by Tibetans in western provinces are manifestation of undercurrents and unresolved festering issues. For lasting peace to be achieved, there has to be a move to foster better understanding and address some of these concerns. Some poorer Tibetans may not have benefited from the economic development, just like poorer Chinese in inland provinces. The rich-poor divide is real. Hence the poor target savvy businessmen and minorities who may be innocent parties, to vent their hatred and vengeance.
The bottom line has been established by the Dalai Lama himself that he is not seeking for independence and secession as some of the rioters had in mind. He is against boycotting the Olympics. Most pragmatists would realize that Tibet would not be able to secede and function as an economically self sufficient state. There would be a vacuum without the administrative and economic sustenance from China. Examples of some small East European countries and the post-Iraq invasion bring to mind the harsh truths and difficulty of governing.
The current Chinese leadership would be in a more confident position to heal the sensitivities and historical baggage of the invasion by PLA and the brutal suppression of dissent. Mao Zedong is gone and it is a different Chinese leadership that would undertake the task of a softer approach to integration. Brushing aside deeper social issues is wishing a problem away.
It would be helpful if some press, foreign leaders and Hollywood stars refrain from fanning hatred. Meanwhile, the Olympics will go ahead as planned.
http://oneworldtalk.freeforums.org/index.php
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cue_Cia
On the whole, Tibetans have improved economically; their standard of living is way higher than those days of serfdom under the Lamas. Beijing has invested heavily in communications, industrial development and social amenities in Tibet. Tibetan culture and Buddhist spirit are still very much alive.
Nevertheless, seething discontent among some quarters of Tibetans need to be addressed. Pockets of lingering disturbances by Tibetans in western provinces are manifestation of undercurrents and unresolved festering issues. For lasting peace to be achieved, there has to be a move to foster better understanding and address some of these concerns. Some poorer Tibetans may not have benefited from the economic development, just like poorer Chinese in inland provinces. The rich-poor divide is real. Hence the poor target savvy businessmen and minorities who may be innocent parties, to vent their hatred and vengeance.
The bottom line has been established by the Dalai Lama himself that he is not seeking for independence and secession as some of the rioters had in mind. He is against boycotting the Olympics. Most pragmatists would realize that Tibet would not be able to secede and function as an economically self sufficient state. There would be a vacuum without the administrative and economic sustenance from China. Examples of some small East European countries and the post-Iraq invasion bring to mind the harsh truths and difficulty of governing.
The current Chinese leadership would be in a more confident position to heal the sensitivities and historical baggage of the invasion by PLA and the brutal suppression of dissent. Mao Zedong is gone and it is a different Chinese leadership that would undertake the task of a softer approach to integration. Brushing aside deeper social issues is wishing a problem away.
It would be helpful if some press, foreign leaders and Hollywood stars refrain from fanning hatred. Meanwhile, the Olympics will go ahead as planned.
http://oneworldtalk.freeforums.org/index.php
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cue_Cia
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