( – promoted by buhdydharma )
While the protesters were being thwarted by Mayor Gavin Newsom’s high speed game of wack-a-mole with the Olympic torch through the streets of San Francisco, the Dalai Lama was en route to Tokyo and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was giving one of the most important speeches of his diplomatic career.
First to the Dalai Lama. In remarks this morning in Tokyo, His Holiness defended the right of protesters to voice their dissent, while returning to his calls for nonviolence:
Diarists’s note on the above YouTube: The Dalai Lama’s remarks this morning come immediately after the short clip of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The final part of this YouTube contains a photo that has raised no small amount of controversy on the web. I include this YouTube because it was the only one I could find with His Holiness’s remarks in English. I have no thoughts regarding the veracity – or lack thereof – of the claims surrounding the last photograph other than to say that this is just one example of why an impartial, international investigation into the riots in Lhasa needs to be held, so that the truth around these events can be discovered.
Bloomberg has extended coverage of the Dalai Lama’s remarks:
The international community should look into accusations that clashes between Chinese troops and protesters killed hundreds of people, the Dalai Lama told reporters near Tokyo’s Narita airport. Authorities shouldn’t treat non-violent protesters as criminals, he said.
“I appealed to the international community to carry out a thorough investigation,” he said. “As far as we know, at least a few hundred people were killed in the Tibetan area.”
And regarding the Olympics, the Dalai Lama reiterated his stance that he does not support a boycott of the games and had this to say about the opening ceremonies:
“If things improve and the Chinese government starts to look at Tibet more realistically, I would personally want to enjoy the big ceremony,” the Dalai Lama said.
link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/…
The Dalai Lama’s comments are made not just against the backdrop of protests of the Olympic torch relay, but also shortly after Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, at Peking University, in a speech he delivered in Mandarin called on the Chinese government to find a peaceful resolution to the situation in Tibet:
This year, as China hosts the Olympics, the eyes of the world will be on you and the city of Beijing.
It will be a chance for China to engage directly with the world, both on the sports field and on the streets of Beijing.
Some have called for a boycott of the Beijing Olympics because of recent problems in Tibet.
As I said in London on Sunday, I do not agree.
I believe the Olympics are important for China’s continuing engagement with the world.
Australia like most other countries recognises China’s sovereignty over Tibet.
But we also believe it is necessary to recognise there are significant human rights problem in Tibet.
The current situation in Tibet is of concern to Australians.
We recognise the need for all parties to avoid violence and find a solution through dialogue.
As a long-standing friend of China I intend to have a straightforward discussion with China’s leaders on this.
We wish to see the year 2008 as one of harmony, and celebration – not one of conflict and contention.
link: http://www.news.com.au/adelaid…
Al Jazeera’s report on these remarks puts into context Rudd’s “rock star” status in China:
Given Rudd’s personal popularity there, it is not surprising that the Chinese government’s censorship machine kicked into high gear after he raised the issue of human rights in Tibet:
Meanwhile, the Chinese state-run press virtually ignored Mr Rudd’s comments about human rights problems in Tibet, while lavishing praise on his knowledge of China.
“Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd enthralled his audience at Peking University with an intimate grasp of China affairs and a thorough understanding of global politics yesterday,” the China Daily wrote.
The English-language newspaper highlighted a quote from Mr Rudd expressing his opposition to a boycott of the Olympic Games, without mentioning Tibet.
The People’s Daily, the Communist Party’s main mouthpiece, also reported on Rudd’s support for the Olympics, while the Beijing Youth Daily highlighted his humorous quips.
Most papers also reported on Mr Rudd’s fluent Mandarin skills and the fact he delivered his speech in Chinese.
But none of the major newspapers mentioned Rudd’s more controversial comments on Tibet.
link: http://www.abc.net.au/news/sto…
My two cents on where we’re at right now regarding the geopolitics in play. The United States – although compromised on this issue by the well-known actions of the Bush administration in Iraq and Gitmo – still has some cache to speak out on human rights. I am pleased that the US House passed a resolution against the Chinese government’s “disproportionate and extreme” response to the riots in Tibet. I’m heartened that Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton have made forceful statements in support of the Tibetan people and the Dalai Lama, and have asked Bush to not attend the opening ceremonies in Beijing. I am also encouraged by Barack Obama’s reasoned response to this situation as it keeps a boycott of the opening ceremonies on the table, and I appreciate Republicans of good will like Dick Lugar and John McCain speaking out to ensure that this issue does not become mired in political partisanship.
These are all good measures, and appropriate actions for leaders of a democratic country to engage in.
However, sometimes as Americans we have to realize that it may be more effective for us to follow someone else’s lead instead of trying to fill that role ourselves. It goes against our cultural grain to do so, but hopefully the seriousness of the cause will give us the humility we need to accept that back seat.
This is such a cause.
In Kevin Rudd we have an experienced diplomat who understands China, Chinese politics and who – literally – speaks their language. In Australia we have a consistent ally who shares many of our traditions and cultural values. Working in concert with Prime Minister Rudd, therefore, would seem to make the most sense in our attempts to ultimately help not just the Tibetan people but the overall cause of human rights in China.
Kevin Rudd is the right person, at the right place, at the right time to be an agent of change and find a peaceful resolution between China and Tibet, and China and the rest of the world. We would do well to support – and not contradict – the efforts he is making in this area.
Please keep all sides of this conflict in your thoughts, prayers and meditations.
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… thank you so much for your excellent coverage of this story, grannyhelen.
I hope that there can be some kind of independent group who can see and report on what is happening in Tibet.
And I hope that there will be a way for real dialogue on this between China and the Dalai Lama on behalf of Tibet.
The Rudd story is very interesting and given his relations with the Chinese, heartening that perhaps they will listen to him as well.
100% I dare say. Prior to his election, all the other folks from around the world would poke good natured fun at Americans and Australians about our Idiots-In-Charge. I feel kinda alone now. I’ll feel better on Jan 20th, 2009 I hope.
I’m disappointed in the government there…the way they handled the torch matter.
They should have put the torch in a tank and driven the tank slowly but steadily along the announced route.
Would have been much more in keeping with the Chinese government.
THIS is frickin serious:
http://www.rawstory.com/news/m…