China’s crackdown on the Tibetan demonstrators has brought forth backlash, outcry, and condemnation from the international community. There have been talks about a possible boycott of the Olympic Games as Beijing, China is due to host the games this year. Tibet has been one of the looming issues hanging over China in what could be a cyclone of a public relations nightmare.
The marches, protests, and demonstrations began on March 10, marking the anniversary of when Tibet had an uprising against China. However, it marked the anniversary where His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama had to flee where he lives in India in exile. Tibet’s government is in exile in India.
The Dalai Lama had urged China to talk. However, China had refused and said it will crush all demonstrations throughout Tibet. It is already known that many pro-Tibet independence groups will protest at the torch relay points throughout Tibet.
The Dalai Lama had accused China of committing “cultural genocide.” But, China’s Premiere Wen Jiabao said that it was nothing but lies. Wen also accused the Dalai Lama of trying to sabotage the Olympics.
Recently, the start of the Olympic Torch Relay in Greece was disrupted by the French-based human rights group known as Reporters Without Borders. Both Greece and China had condemned the disruption. The torch was nicknamed as the “Flame of Shame.”
Elie Wiesel along with 29 other Nobel laureates have condemned China’s crackdown on Tibet.
French President Nicholas Sarkozy is strongly debating about boycotting the opening ceremony. Prince Charles of Great Britain said he would not be attending the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.
While meeting Sarkozy in Paris, US Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain said that the crackdown was unacceptable of a world power such as China.
US Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned China that the world is watching over its shoulder.
Recently, US President George W. Bush had urged Chinese President Hu Jintao to talk with Tibet in expression of his concerns about the chaos and outcry.
“The president raised his concerns about the situation in Tibet and encouraged the Chinese government to engage in substantive dialogue with the Dalai Lama’s representatives,” said Dana Perino, spokeswoman for the White House in regards to Bush.
In addition, Bush had urged to let reporters and envoys to access Tibet. Regardless, Bush said he will still attend the opening ceremony for the Olympics in Beijing.
So far, the US and the UN have urged both China and Tibet to show restraint.
Still, the death toll is being disputed.