[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]

BUDDHA: Grim New from Tibet


Sorry folks, another unfunny posting, but it seems the conditions in Tibet are 
becoming insufferable. I have no idea what to do, like who to call or write to 
or whatever, but if anyone does please post. Things are getting ridiculous as 
this grab-bag of new-postings shows...



------- Forwarded Message

Date:         Wed, 8 Jan 1997 19:46:18 -0500
From: wtn-editors@utcc.utoronto.ca
Subject:      Tibet News Digest -- December 1996

- ------------------------   World Tibet Network News   ----------------------
   Published by:     The Canada-Tibet Committee
   Editorial Board:  Brian Given <bgiven@ccs.carleton.ca>
                     Nima Dorjee <tibet@acs.ucalgary.ca>
                     Conrad Richter <conradr@utcc.utoronto.ca>
                     Tseten Samdup <tibetlondon@gn.apc.org>
                     Thubten Samdup <cantibet@web.net>
   Submissions to:   wtn-l@vm1.mcgill.ca
                     or fax to: +44-171-722-0362  (U.K.)
   Subscriptions to: listserv@vm1.mcgill.ca
                     - message should be: SUB WTN-L [your name]
   Cancellations to: listserv@vm1.mcgill.ca
                     - message should be: SIGNOFF WTN-L
   WTN News is archived at http://www.omtanken.se/sve_tib/wtnn.htm
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
TIBET NEWS DIGEST: DECEMBER 1-31,1996
[Note from the editor: The Tibet News Digest has changed; it is now four
pages long to allow more room for important background and exact
quotations. For comments, please send email to "Tibet100@tibet.org"]

Contents:
1.  Chinese President Jiang Zemin visits India among Tibetan protests
2.  Speaker of Tibetan Assembly in exile proposes Satyagraha
3.  Chinese media warns against 'narrow nationalism'
4.  China denounces Radio Free Asia broadcasts to Tibet
5.  Human Rights Group denounces Western indifference to human rights abuses
6.  March for Tibetan independence started
7.  Tibetan authorities seek foreign investment to open up province
8.  Communist party organ slams Tibetans' utopian dreams
9.  Chinese Defense Minister denies Tiananmen Square killings
10. A mouse instructs an eagle on how to handle a dragon
11. Philadelphia Inquirer documents human rights abuses in Tibet
12. International Socialist Youth organization passes resolution on Tibet
13. China to block imports of 'splittist' art
14. US congressional group visits Tibetan refugees in India, Nepal
15. Dalai Lama ready for talks with China on autonomy
16. Nepal police arrests 82 Tibetans heading for meeting with Dalai Lama
17. A glance at Human Rights cases
18. "Last Battle Against Spiritual Life in Tibet"
19. China vows harder anti-crime drive, amid spate of executions
20. China sets up iron rule over Tibet's Drepung monastery (AFP)
21. China urges courage from Tibetan officials implementing party line
22. China jails Tibetan music scholar to 18 years for spying
23. Bomb damages Lhasa City Government office, injures five
24. Tourists warned against visiting Tibet
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
- -------------------
1. Chinese President Jiang Zemin visits India among Tibetan protests
        Jiang Zemin paid a visit to India as the first Chinese President
though the wounds of the border war in 1962 initiated by China are still
remembered.  A ground-breaking agreement was signed to slash troops on
their disputed border, to freeze cross-border military flights and to avoid
the use of force against each other.  Speaking from Dharamsala, the Dalai
Lama urged Jiang Zemin to stop what he called Chinese repression in Tibet
and to resolve the problem peacefully through dialogue.  Tibetan exiles in
New Delhi held noisy anti-Chinese demonstrations for four days, braving
police barricades to burn a Chinese flag and an effigy of Jiang, which lead
to the arrest of 50 young Tibetans.  After visiting Pakistan, Jiang Zemin
ended his Asian tour in Nepal, thanking the Himalayan kingdom's monarch for
his support for China's stand on Tibet and jointly initiating projects such
as the construction of mountain highway links with Tibet which are seen by
New Delhi as a threat to India's security.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
- -------------------
2. Speaker of Tibetan Assembly in exile proposes Satyagraha
        Professor Samdang Rinpoche, Speaker of the Assembly of Tibetan
People's Deputies in Dharamsala, India, proposed a Satyagraha, a program of
peaceful non-violent resistance, since 14 years of negotiations with China
had failed to bring about protection of the Tibetan people, their social,
economic and cultural welfare and their appropriate representation.  In the
footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi, he proposed to fellow Tibetans "Do or Die" to
make one final attempt and begin the return journey back to the homeland
now.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
- -------------------
3. Chinese media warns against 'narrow nationalism'
        The Tibet Daily, an official Chinese newspaper, has issued a stern
warning against the "narrow nationalism" practiced by some of the country's
ethnic minorities, especially in Tibet.  "Narrow nationalists never see
their own shortcomings and never think of other nationalities, thus
inciting mistrust and strengthening splittist ideas," said a front-page
editorial in the Tibet Daily.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
 -------------------
4. China denounces Radio Free Asia broadcasts to Tibet
        The Peoples' Republic of China angrily condemned the start of
direct broadcasts to Tibet by the US government-funded Radio Free Asia
(RFA).  "This move by the US side is, in essence, aimed at further
interference in other countries internal affairs by means of the media", a
foreign ministry spokesman said.  RFA began direct 30-minute
Tibetan-language broadcasts to Tibet on December 2, two months after
debuting its radio service in Mandarin to China.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
- -------------------
5. Human Rights Group denounces Western indifference to human rights abuses
        All western powers failed to act strongly on behalf of human rights
in key parts of the world during 1996, often sacrificing their stated
concerns to doubtful, long-term objectives or business profits, according
to a report produced by the New York-based organization Human Rights Watch.

In China, the report says, the major powers have argued that too much
criticism about the repression of dissidents or Tibetan nationalists could
backfire, aborting economic reforms that would eventually expose the
Chinese people to new ideas and loosen the control of the Communist Party.
By the end of 1996, however, "there was no sign of progress on human
rights.  On the contrary, Chinese leaders were given every reason to
conclude that, for the rest of the world, access to Chinese markets far
outweighs the rights of Chinese citizens."
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
- -------------------
6. March for Tibetan independence started
        On December 10, Int'ntl. Human Rights Day, some 300 Tibetan exiles
started a two-month-long march from Wardha, a western Indian town and once
a political center for Mahatma Gandhi, to New Delhi in support of Tibet's
independence.  The "peace march" will reach the Indian capital around
February 15 after covering 11 major towns and trekking 1,350 kilometers
(845 miles).
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
- -------------------
7. Tibetan authorities seek foreign investment to open up province
        The China's official news agency Xinhua reports that Tibetan
authorities have adopted a new regulation aimed at attracting foreign
investment while forcing local Tibetans to construct a road network.  The
regulation includes favorable tax and land-use policies for investors,
including priority in developing real estate, and in exploiting minerals
and forestry resources along the highways.  Xinhua said that by 2010, the
highways would be of such a standard that they would help Tibet's economic
and social development and meet national defense needs.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
- -------------------
8. Communist party organ slams Tibetans' utopian dreams
        Too many Tibetan Buddhists are chasing unobtainable utopian ideals
while ignoring the impoverished Himalayan region's urgent need of economic
development, according to a front-page editorial in the Tibet Daily.  It
accused religious circles, as well as some party officials, in Tibet of
"impeding progress" by clinging to backwards customs and superstitions.
"They don't send their children to school but to the monasteries, because
they don't want them to receive scientific teachings," the editorial said.
"If we cannot rid ourselves of these elements and oppose the domination of
an idealistic religion, the notion of a 'developed' Tibet will be nothing
more than an empty phrase," it added.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
- -------------------
9. Chinese Defense Minister denies Tiananmen Square killings
        The Defense Minister of the Peoples Republic of China, Chi Haotian,
met with President Clinton and Defense Secretary Perry in Washington before
going on a five-day tour of American military bases.  Asked by a Navy
captain whether there were any regrets over the People's Liberation Army's
use of force against civilians he answered,"...not a single person lost his
life in Tiananmen Square."  A reception in the Chinese Embassy hosted by
Chi Haotian on December 10 (Int'ntl. Human Rights Day) was attended by
Secretary Perry while 50 demonstrators were calling outside for an end of
the Chinese occupation of Tibet.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
- -------------------
10. A mouse instructs an eagle on how to handle a dragon
        The Disney Corp. asserted it will not succumb to pressure from the
Chinese government, over "Kundun," a movie about the Dalai Lama, and will
go ahead with its distribution plans.  Thirty-eight members of the US film
community sent an open letter to the PRC government to protest Beijing's
moves to block the film.  They cited numerous events where Chinese
government officials attempted to restrict artists' right to freedom of
expression.  "Neither the Chinese government nor the authorities concerned
have put any pressure on the Walt Disney Company" over the film," Chinese
foreign ministry spokesman Shen Guofang said.  "Those who sent the letter
do not understand the situation," he added.  50 Westerners, including
Martin Scorsese, Brad Pitt, Jean-Jacques Annaud, Harrison Ford, Melissa
Mathison Ford and Ian Smith are being barred from visiting Tibet according
to reports from Lhasa, Tibet's capital.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
- -------------------
11. Philadelphia Inquirer documents human rights abuses in Tibet
        In a four part series, the Philadelphia Inquirer documented human
rights abuses in Tibet through interviews with recent Tibetan refugees,
China's replacement of the Tibetan school system with one that teaches
Chinese propaganda, China's attempt to crush Buddhism in Tibet by jailing
and torturing monks and nuns and destroying monasteries, and the death of
young Tibetan nuns after torture who had been arrested for singing freedom
songs.  The report is available on the Internet at
"http://www.phillynews.com/packages/tibet/index.htm".
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
- -------------------
12. International Socialist Youth organization passes resolution on Tibet
        The World Council Meeting of the Int'ntl. Union of Socialist Youth,
hosting over 120 youth organizations in Kathmandu (Nepal), passed a
resolution condemning "the illegal occupation of Tibet by China" and "the
continued repressive policy."  The Secretary General of IUSY, Alfredo
Lozeretto, said, "IUSY supports the independence movement of the Tibetan
people".
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
- -------------------
13. China to block imports of 'splittist' art
        Reuters reports that China's cultural guardians have banned imports
of art they see are aimed at splitting China or interfering in its internal
affairs.  A Ministry of Culture meeting in Beijing had drawn up a policy
which would judge imports of foreign art based on how it could serve China.
"It is an important task for China to resist the infiltration of decadent
culture from abroad, as many developed countries have been shipping their
values to developing countries," said Li Yuanchao, vice-minister of
culture.  China would ban imports of "artistic activities with the goal of
splitting China and its nationalities" as well as art "with the goal of
interfering in China's internal affairs," said Yuan Xue, deputy director of
the ministry's External Relations Bureau.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
- -------------------
14. US congressional group visits Tibetan refugees in India, Nepal
        A group of US congressional staff members has headed to India and
Nepal on a mission aimed at helping some 110,000 Tibetan refugees in the
two South Asian countries.  "We hope the delegation will produce a report
that will enable us to propose legislation (to help Tibetans) in the next
Congress," said Bhuchung Tsering of the sponsoring International Campaign
for Tibet (ICT).  "We want the United States to take a more pro-active
approach," he added.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
- -------------------
15. Dalai Lama ready for talks with China on autonomy
        AFP reports that the Dalai Lama stated he was "ready for direct
talks with the Chinese government without any preconditions" if it could
result in "genuine self-rule and autonomy" for Tibet and that he was not
insisting on independence for his homeland now occupied by China.  "I am
prepared to compromise on the demand for independence by joining China if
greater autonomy and right to self rule is provided by Beijing for
Tibetans," he told AFP.  "Although historically we are a separate nation, I
believe the six million Tibetans may get greater benefit if we join a big
nation like China."  The Dalai Lama urged India to improve its relations
with China.  "Better Sino-Indian relationship is very important for world
peace and for Tibet," he said, also asking New Delhi to act as mediator to
help solve the Tibetan issue.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
- -------------------
16. Nepal police arrests 82 Tibetans heading for meeting with Dalai Lama
        AFP reports that 82 Tibetans, including 12 women and some children,
were arrested in Nepal for entering Nepal without visas while making their
way to India to meet their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.  They will be
handed to Chinese border guards, a Nepal police source stated.  Another 105
Tibetans, some suffering from severe frostbite, were arrested for illegal
entry in West Nepal after fleeing Tibet but were later released as a result
of intervention by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the
representative of the Dalai Lama.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
- -------------------
17. A glance at Human Rights cases
        * Rev. Paldan Dhondup, abbot of Chubsang Nunnery north of Lhasa,
was expelled in July 1996.  On July 1 four Chubsang nuns had been arrested
for demonstrating in Lhasa for a "Free Tibet".
* Ngawang Sangdrol, a 19 year-old nun, first arrested during a
pro-independence demonstration in 1987 at age 10, had her sentence extended
by 9 years for singing freedom songs.  With a total of 18 years behind
bars, she will be the longest imprisoned female political prisoner in
Tibet.
* Sholpa Dawa and Topgyal, two tailors from Lhasa, sentenced to 9 and 6
years, resp. for allegedly distributing pamphlets on the independence of
Tibet and "separatist" activities.
* Yungdrung, a young artist, detained for 58 days in connection with his
portraits of the Dalai Lama, the public display of which have been banned
in Tibet since April, was found in a state of severe shock in a public
toilet, apparently as a result of having been tortured in custody.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
- -------------------
18. "Last Battle Against Spiritual Life in Tibet"
        The Tibet Central Committee has launched a "Last Battle" against
the Dalai Lama, aimed at eradicating any vestiges his influence from all
levels of society.  Their report stipulated that "the anti-splittist
campaign, launched in the region's monasteries this year, must be
broadened" and that  "the uncontrolled proliferation of religious festivals
and shrines" needed to be "resolved".  The report stressed the
strengthening of controls over daily life in Tibet, including the close
supervision of literature and the arts to ensure that they fulfilled the
socialist role of "serving the people" rather than propagated "spiritual
garbage".  The Committee vowed to deal severely with "any monks or nuns
whose religious activities or superstitions affect industrial production or
daily life" and, identifying Tibetan youth as the key battleground, called
on every school "to push socialist teachings and focus on political and
ideological education".
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
- -------------------
19. China vows harder anti-crime drive, amid spate of executions
        According to AFP, China's top judge, Ren Jianxin, vowed to
intensify the country's draconian anti-crime campaign in 1997, following
one of the bloodiest weeks with at least 120 executions across the country,
most of those for murder, drug trafficking and armed robbery.  According to
an unofficial count culled from local media reports, at least 2,200 people
have been executed and thousands sentenced to death or heavy prison
sentences since the "Strike Hard" campaign was launched in April 1996.
Originally slated to last three months, 'Strike Hard' shows no sign of
letting up while, in sensitive regions such as Tibet and Xinjiang, it has
been expanded to cover separatism and illegal religious activities. "The
key task for next year is to eliminate all threats to social stability by
asserting complete control over the public order situation throughout the
country," the People's Daily quoted Supreme People's Court President Ren
Jianxin.  "The number of executions is shocking and will only serve to fuel
a climate of violence and vengeance," Amnesty International commented.
"Intensive and at times hysterical propaganda" fuels "state killing on a
massive scale," it said, adding that many of the executions were ordered by
local officials keen to impress the central authorities with their
commitment.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
- -------------------
20. China sets up iron rule over Tibet's Drepung monastery (AFP)
        AFP reports that China has established an "administrative
commission" in Drepung, a main Tibetan monastery, as a new step in
implementing iron rule over the troubled region. Following five months of
"reeducation", monks at the Drepung monastery have learnt that Tibet has
always been part of China, that their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, is
a splittist and that they must always obey the Chinese government, the
official Tibet Daily said.  TIN reported that at least four monks from
Drepung were in detention, with one given three years in jail for disputing
Chinese statements that Tibet has been part of China since the 13th century.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
- -------------------
21. China urges courage from Tibetan officials implementing party line
        According to AFP, China has called on wavering officials in Tibet
to show the courage of their convictions and to get rid of the "old habits,
customs and ideas" of Tibetan Buddhism.  "For a long time some among the
leading cadres and people have been influenced deeply by the old habits,
customs, ideas and system of Tibetan Buddhism and they have no good
understanding on religion," an editorial in the official Tibet Daily warned.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
- -------------------
22. China jails Tibetan music scholar to 18 years for spying
        China has sentenced Ngawang Choephel, a U.S.-based Tibetan music
expert and former Fulbright scholar, to 18 years in prison for espionage.
He was detained in Sept.'95 on tour in Tibet studying and filming
traditional Tibetan music.  TIN reported Chinese authorities had given no
evidence to support the charges other than to say he had "confessed" to
espionage activities for the Tibetan government in-exile financed by
"certain foreign country," a thinly veiled reference to the U.S. "The
United States is of course concerned about the reported sentencing of
Ngawang Choephel," State Department spokesman John Dinger said while
rejecting Chinese suggestions that Choephel was an undercover agent for the
U.S.  Tempa Tsering, of Tibet's government-in-exile, condemned the
sentencing and urged the Chinese authorities to release Choephel
immediately.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
- -------------------
23. Bomb damages Lhasa City Government office, injures five
        A bomb exploded near a Lhasa city district government office on
Christmas Day resulting in widespread damage and injuring five people.
Chinese authorities blamed the Dalai Lama's supporters for the explosion
condemning it as "a serious counterrevolutionary political incident and an
appalling act of terrorism". Signaling a renewed crackdown, China has
launched a manhunt, tightened airport security and offered a reward of
$120,000.  Kalon Tashi Wangdi, a Minister for the Tibetan
government-in-exile refuted the Chinese charges but expressed concern that
the Chinese authorities might use the incident as a pretext for increasing
political repression in Tibet. "This is just the kind of thing the
authorities in Tibet have been hoping for," TIN's Robbie Barnett commented.
"They have been exaggerating hugely the extent of unrest to justify the
need for a crackdown," he stated, referring to a string of Tibet newspaper
articles warning against anti-Chinese forces.  An ideological campaign in
Tibet, as elsewhere in China, to promote socialist values and allegiance to
the Communist Party could have ignited the new violence in a region where
many ordinary Tibetans pledge their first loyalty to religion, he added.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
- -------------------
24. Tourists warned against visiting Tibet
        China's harsh sentencing of a Tibetan Fulbright scholar for
espionage has touched off warnings against visiting the Himalayan region
where even photography may lead to police interrogation. The cautions
emanating from human rights groups coincide with Beijing's insistence that
Tibet is ready to welcome international tourists in 1997 "by promoting
holidays on the world's highest plateau" in a bid to bring more revenue to
Tibet.

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---


------- End of Forwarded Message
Little Tiny Buddha Picture Back to Buddha