Protests turn violent in Tibetan capital

[maddezmom]

Source: AP

BEIJING - Angry protesters set shops ablaze and gunfire was reported in Tibet's regional capital Friday as the largest demonstrations in two decades against Chinese rule turned violent months ahead of the Beijing Olympics.

The protests, which began Monday in a stunning show of defiance by Buddhist monks, cast a shadow over Beijing's efforts to portray China as unified and prosperous in the run-up to the games.

Protesters set shops and police vehicles on fire in central Lhasa, state media and witnesses said. The U.S. Embassy in Beijing warned Americans to stay away, saying it had "received firsthand reports from American citizens in the city who report gunfire and other indications of violence."

The protests appeared to be attracting large numbers of ordinary Tibetans venting pent-up anger against Chinese rule after days of smaller, sporadic and mostly peaceful demonstrations by hundreds of monks supporting Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080314/ap_on_re_as/china_tibet

[maddezmom]

1. EU calls for China restraint in Tibet

BRUSSELS, Belgium - French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner says EU leaders have appealed to China to show restraint in Tibet after reports of gunfire amid rioting during the largest demonstrations in nearly two decades.

Kouchner says the EU's condemnation is strong considering it comes from the entire 27-nation bloc.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080314/ap_on_re_as/eu_china_tibet;_ylt=AuuSwJoGhav2O3OMPttRcPMBxg8F

[mainegreen]

2. China's been having lots of problems in the western provinces lately, haven't they?

Probably because they treat the locals like shit, and send tons of ethnic Chinese out as colonists to overwhelm local identity.

Pricks.

[Festivito]

3. Bad timing: BushCONS saying China has no civil rights problems,

I imagine truckloads of men going away from their homes and families still happening in Lhasa today.

[onehandle]

4. Boycott China!

If oil money funds terrorism, then shopping at Wal-Mart funds Oppressive Communist rule.

[ixion]

5. Boycott China... and FREE TIBET

from Chinese rule.

[onehandle]

6. Why doesn't Bush invade and free them?

Could it be that he actually doesn't give a shit about Freedom?

[ixion]

8. they have no oil...

and no, bush couldn't care less about freedom.

[xchrom]

7. recommend -- very interesting when i also think about

the current economic turmoil.

[subsuelo]

9. ** Breaking ** Deaths reported in Tibet protests

BBC

Clashes between protesters and security forces in Tibet's main city of Lhasa have left at least two people dead, according to reports.

An emergency official told AFP news agency that many people had been hurt and an unspecified number had died.

The US-based Radio Free Asia quoted witnesses who said they had seen at least two bodies on Lhasa's streets.

[Up2Late]

10. CNN/International just reported 7 people dead as a result of the Government crackdown

The Chinese Government are so stupid. If they would would only let the Tibetans practice their Buddhism freely, they wouldn't have most of these problems.

Btw, guess what happens when you ban a Religion that has Non-Violence as one of it's central teachings?

You got it, violent uprisings and riots.

[texshelters]

11. Thanks for posting this

I heard about this on the radio. This crisis has been been ongoing since 1949 and the international community has excepted Tibet as part of China against the will of its people. I can't find a map with a free Tibet on it. Lasa should be listed as the highest world capital, not La Paz, Bolivia.

Tex Shelters