All Comments (338)

Let's see: paranoid rulers forbid members of a religion to recognize their traditional, spiritual leader, and proceed to "oversee" the religion, appoint or approved religious leaders, ban certain religious customs, control religious property and monsateries, etc. Tibet? Yes. But also England in the 16th century, when Henry VIII told Roman Catholics (also for political reasons) that he was running the show. If it's wrong now in Tibet, then it was wrong in England then. Perhaps Anglicans will return confiscated churches to Roman Catholics and the "official" church will disenfranchise itself in the name of fairness and religious liberty? Ha.

Dear Bishop Tutu,

Sincerely recommend you spend some time listening to this French parliamentarian who is absolutely an honest and fair politician (alas, they are fewer and fewer in today's political landscape), a man who fully lives up to his principles, to his political and social responsibilities, with much mind sharpness on, and in-depth observations of the complex Tibet issues, and what is behind the sabotage to the Olympic Torch Relays by those so-called "peaceful" protesters.

http://www.jean-luc-melenchon.fr/?p=585

I really admire, respect and applaud for him - he is the pride and honor of the true France with her glorious tradition of humanities and civilizations!

No censorship should ever be exercised to reader's comments. This however happened at least once to my comments posted! I strongly oppose and protest this kind of media control.

the dali lama wants tibetens to build a man made island in the ocean......a new tibet....

I don't have a problem with the Chinese people in general. It is the communist government that is at the root of the problems. These big shots want to hang on to power at any cost and with the communist party membership, they - of course there are a few exceptions - enjoy privileges that most of the common folks can only dream. Such privileges cause/result in corruptions from the local government all the way up to the national, central level. On the surface, these high power party members may look clean and pure, but they are very corrupted by having their relatives to open businesses on their behalf (of course, they influence the outcome/decision of the bidding contracts, for example) so as to get rich. In other cases, the corrupted government officials would collectively force the commoners to vacate their homes to make room for some public projects and compensate the people poorly. Once the people are evicted, even forcefully, these officials would turn around to sell the land to private businesses or real estate companies at the price of many times higher than their victims are compensated initially. There are innumerable atrocities, frauds, bribes, ..., happening under the suppressive, dictatorial regimes such as China, Cuba, Vietnam, North Korea. Reasons are that there is no real freedom; the communist party (they don't tolerate any party other than theirs) makes the laws, carries out the laws and judges the laws.

Anyway, to keep the comments short, let me get to the point. Communist China, one of the leaders of the pack (Russia or the old Soviet Union is another), is an intolerant, abusive, greedy and ambitious government. They even suppress their own Chinese citizens - those that dare to speak up and voice their dissident opinions - so why should they care about Tibetans?

History witnesses communist China's actions toward other countries:
- supports Sudan to prolong atrocities/genocides in Dafur so as to be given favorite treatments in oil businesses in Sudan.

- supports the disgusted and tyrannical government in Burma/Myanmar for access to Burma's vast and rich resources that are mishandled by the Burmese atrocious generals.

- supports the theological Iran in the nuclear standoff with the West. Again, oil is involved to quench China's thirst to run its red-hot economy which is invested by the West.

- shoots Vietnamese fishermen on the high seas in Vietnam's territory (but China claims to have indisputable evidence of China's territory in order to gobble up Vietnam's islands. Just like its claims that it has indisputable evidence that the Dalai Lama is behind the current crisis in Tibet; however, when pressed further, China cannot show anything concrete except verbal lies). Killing innocent fishermen for unjust deterrence.

- does businesses with the West to achieve trade surplus in trillions of dollars in reserves, but at the same time China spies to steal high technologies: weapon systems, space programs and other companies' know-how’s. China's armed forces would not be anywhere near today without stolen high techs. Also pirates movies and music without regards for intellectual properties.

- exports junked goods (serrated Firestone? tires), foods (pet foods to the US, poisonous dumplings to Japan), medicines (ethylene glycol-filled cough syrup to Panama, ethylene glycol toothpaste, counterfeited heparins to US and Germany), dangerous toys (painted with lead-based paints). When confronted, the usual response is "What are you talking about? Our lab test results on the samples are negative." Only when collectively confirmed by a number of nations' positive test results then it would admit its dishonest deeds.

(to be continued) …

Dear Bishop Tutu,

Please read this independent study of two German researchers:

http://www.iivs.de/%7Eiivs01311/SDLE/Part-2-13.htm

It describes in great detail the close and questionable relationship (including financial interest) between Dalai Lama, political head of "Tibetan government-in-exile", and Shoko Asahara, founder of the Japanese cult Aum Shinrikyo (Supreme Truth), who masterminded the 1994 biological attack (killed 7 people), and 1995 sarin gas subway attack (killed 12, and injured more than 5,000) in Tokyo Japan, and has since been in Japanese prison for his and his cultists' terrorist crimes committed.

I believe after you have finished reading this work, you will have a much better understanding of a true Dalai Lama ...

What he claims is not consistent with what he does ...

Tutu, a man with similar scar does not necessarily stands in the same trench with you. lift his cover and find the truth. you may be shocked when you see the facts on the ground.

Just as some Germans today still look upon the Nazi era with nostalgia, so too are some backward looking Tibetans who longed for the return to the days when the Lamas ruled with impunity. Far from being peace loving, these Lamas would make the Spanish Inquisitors look like bunch of girl scouts. Yea, that's right Tibet was in the dark ages before the PRC took control of it in 1959.
If only people spent a little more time to learn what was going on in Tibet before 1959, they wouldn't be chanting "free Tibet"

By calling Dalai Lama His Holiness, Bishop Tutu has acknowledged Dalai Lama as God Incarnate, as Dalai claims himself to be. This is blasphemy and insult to God Almighty.

If he wants to acknowledge Dalai Lama as His Holiness, Tutu should first resign his position in the Church. Tutu has violated his own oath to serve the Lord faithfully by writing this article. He is in no position to talk politics. Tutu has given up his priestly duty to political expediency. Tutu should repent and ask for forgiveness of the Church.

By calling Dalai Lama His Holiness, Bishop Tutu has acknowledged Dalai Lama as God Incarnate, as Dalai claims himself to be. This is blasphemy and insult to God Almighty.

If he wants to acknowledge Dalai Lama as His Holiness, Tutu should first resign his position in the Church. Tutu has violated his own oath to serve the Lord faithfully by writing this article. He is in no position to talk politics. Tutu has given up his priestly duty to political expediency. Tutu should repent and ask for forgiveness of the Church.

"Free Tibet"??? Are you kidding me - Tibet has been free for the last 50 yrs. That's right, it's been free of slaves and the ruling lamas since PRC took control of it...
The Chinese government should take off their velvet glove and bring down the hammer - that's the only thing these rioters/hooligans understand. Afterall the western media is "clamoring' for a crackdown, so let's show them how it's done.

Joseph Goebbels, head of the Nazi Propaganda ministry, wrote the following in an article dated 18 March 1939, "As the Führer finished his proclamation to the German (sic) at 5 a.m. an historical decision had taken place. Shortly after, radio stations told the world that the historic provinces of Bohemia and Moravia had returned to the federation of the Greater German Reich. State President Hacha himself had asked the Führer to assume the protection of these provinces, noting that he "was confidently placing the fate of the Czech people and nation in the hands of the Führer of the German Reich. The so-called Czecho-Slovakia ceased to exist. In a single night a nation vanished that in reality had never been a nation."

Sound familiar? Maybe a little like Chinese government pronouncements that Tibet is and always has been part of China? Those representatives of other governments that hasten to reassure the Chinese government that they agree remind me of Neville Chamberlain, as well. "Peace in our time!" Unless, of course, you happen to be Czechoslovakian, or Tibetan. Doesn't the Chinese government say that Taiwan is also part of China? I wonder just how long "our time" is, anyway. I'm sure the Taiwanese must wonder.

I am a Han-Chinese living in Tibet for very long time. I 100% support Archbishop Tutu’s statement . The recent event reflects the total failure of CCP's tibet and ethical minority policy. Although I don't think simply boycott Beijing olympic would be a good idea for the cause, because it might close the possibility of conversation between CCP and international community and leave huge space for CCP to manipulate the opinions within China and push itself into more unreasonable direction. For my personal opinion, the better idea is to go to Beijng in august and start to try to make pressure or open conversation on several level on spot.

The hypocritical western media deceived a Nobel Peace Prize winner. So interesting

I believe that you have never been to neither China nor Tibet.So why not shut up your mouth and go to there and seek the truth?
As a Nobel Prize Winner, you need hard evidence to support your theory, is it basic of science?

Dear Tutu,
I read some articles and interviews for Dalai Lama. And I may be same as you, don't know too much abt the history of Tibet. And I may be same as you impressed by his " Inner Peace" as well, so I don't want to believe he initiated the this violence, but i have to say it obviousely is well organized, and they tried their best to select the time. But I'm feeling they choose the wrong time indeed. I have to say I don't like the last part of your state to link Olympic with this event together which is common seen in western meadias. But such behavior really make all Chinse people including most Tibents (including your friend Dalai Lama as well, at least his offical state) abominate, and i don't think it will bring any possitive influence then... Anyway, I still wish you all the best, and all the best to all the people really want to achieve inner peace...

Dear Desmond Tutu:

Peace in God.

I am a Chinese Christian. I love Chinese which includes Tibetan.

The Bible teachs us we must be honest and true.

I want to ask our respected Desmond Tutu:
(1)how much you know about China and how much you know Tibet?
(2)how much you know Dalai Lama(past, now and future) although you have met him many times?
(3)how much you know the rebellion happened March 14 in Lasa where at least 20 people were killed by Tibetan? Please not only get information from CNN,BBC and other western countries' medias, please also visit www.anti-cnn.com which will give you some information,....

After you have really known the facts and the truths, I believe you will give your another " Statement on Tibet and China" if you are true Christian.

Any way, I hope God bless you.

Kingdon Zhang

If you claim to be half God, or representing God, or can act like God, say God told this or that and telling people what to do because God said so to you. Really, you have to be crazy and you are a pratical liar. God may not agree with you if he is next to you. What good is it to have a dialogue with a liar or a mad man, TuTu YoYo ? Fooling people around ?
Hollycow.

If you didn't get the truth, you just would make wrong things. And you do.
"non-violence" ?
How about you just came out and open your eyes instead of see and hear what you think so.
Nobel Prize is stupid.

Having listened to Bishop Tutu as he helped promote one of the most peaceful changes in human history in South Africa, I feel inspired that there remain people with such compassion, such courage, and such immense wisdom.

His words ring true, are practical, and are based on his direct relationships. My wish is that China listen to Bishop Tutu and follow his advice. It will be better for China, Tibet, and the many people who are innocently caught in this political oppression.

To Desmond Tutu:

you gave some suggestions to the chinese government , but why don't you gave some to the Dalai Lama?

you say Dalai Lama is a Nobel peace laureate,but have you noticed that what happened in TIbet has nothing to do with peace. They are mobs, who loot,burn and kill.

Nobel peace laureate is a prize gaven by westerners. If Hitler defeated soviet union, westerners may also gave it to him. The reason is very simple: the Prize is a tool of politics.
It is ridiculous that you connect Dalai lama with peace.

By the way, I am an ordinary chinese and most chinese hold the same opinion with me.

This is another article in Chinese language from the official People's Daily website.

I do not know if there is an English version of it.

I think it is a very good "report card" style article that summarises all the "achievements" in modern Tibet.

Let us collaborate to translate this into English for the benefits of our English readers.

If you urge "dialogue", then you have to listen to the Chinese side of the story, don't you?

http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/8198/119128/7054984.html

中华人民共和国万岁！世界人民大团结万岁！

Just like I know nothing about you,even you are a Nobel Peace Prize winner, you may also know little about chinese history, even China is now so frequently mentioned.If that, I strongly ask you to get yourself familiar with the history of our country before you declare you stand with your dear friend Dalai Lama.

If you rely on media to get to know the news, you can never see the real picture of truth. No matter the Chinese media, or the western Media.

I have a friend working in BBC. He told me that their unwritten rule is not reporting any "good news" of countries including China, Cuba, North Korea, Vietnam, etc.

I have Tibetan friends who love their motherland of China very much. I also have Tibetan friends who think they don't belong to this country. But when asking for their reasons. Those anti-Chinese govenment Tibetan friends actually cannot give any, but say that its the statement of Dalai, and they MUST follow because their religion.

Check this out. The latest hottest stuff!!!

--

Dr. Liu's exclusive interview with Mr. Kenneth Conboy, as well as some excerpts from his renowned book.

In 2002, the Kansas University Press published a ground-breaking book entitled CIA's Secret War in Tibet, which revealed in vivid detail the top-secret and still little-known, decade-long "war at the roof of the world," during which the CIA fostered, trained and supplied a tenacious Tibetan resistance force to help them struggle against China.

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/6382633.html

The user interface design of this forum is REALLY REALLY out of date!!!!

Threads of discussions are easily and quickly lost!!!

This year is 2008! For God's sake!

I am sure with the resource of Washington Post and Newsweek you can do better!!!

Can you spell F-A-C-E-B-O-O-K?

Here are my suggestions:

1) Add a voting panel with an "agree" and a "disagree" buttons -- to get how many people agree / disagree with Desmond Tutu.

2) Have a table with 2 columns: one for "Top 10 reasons I agree", one for "Top 10 reasons I disagree".

I might want to charge a royalty if you actually implement this idea ;-) But then I may donate to a charity ...

Texas should be free of Washington! Cornwall should have its king! Cape Town is oppressed by Pretoria! Australia squats on Tasmania!
Fair dinkum, as an ordinary bloke from Sydney, and free to speak my mind, China deserves solid support, which includes rejecting efforts to bring division and disharmony.
The cost of the record of the Bush administration includes: (i) people do not believe what American officials say about anything, (ii) American weapons dealers drive US foreign policy, (iii) American military power is, well, unable.
Most anti-China sentiment comes from the US. Much comes from Europe.
Beijing engages policies towards a capable and united world of peace and security for all people, regardless of race or religion.
Opponents of China prefer a world pyramid scheme, where the ubermenschen have free drinks brought by servile underlings.
If idle scoff-jaws think I'm a propagandist for Beijing, send the check.
I'm happy to field further inquiries: editors@piets.com.au

Texas should be free of Washington! Cornwall should have its king! Cape Town is oppressed by Pretoria! Australia squats on Tasmania!
Fair dinkum, as an ordinary bloke from Sydney, and free to speak my mind, China deserves solid support, which includes rejecting efforts to bring division and disharmony.
The cost of the record of the Bush administration includes: (i) people do not believe what American officials say about anything, (ii) American weapons dealers drive US foreign policy, (iii) American military power is, well, unable.
Most anti-China sentiment comes from the US. Much comes from Europe.
Beijing engages policies towards a capable and united world of peace and security for all people, regardless of race or religion.
Opponents of China prefer a world pyramid scheme, where the ubermenschen have free drinks brought by servile underlings.
If idle scoff-jaws think I'm a propagandist for Beijing, send the check.
I'm happy to field further inquiries: editors@piets.com.au

Many thanks to Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu for your support to us at this critical time in our history. I join you in urging China to enter into a substantive and meaningful dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Please update yourselves on Tibet with the following information:

1. His Holiness's Middle Path Way as detailed on www.tibet.net. The site can be read in several languages including Chinese.

2. That we, Tibetans have a distinct, very old and rich culture, tradition and language. Our culture is based on the profound buddhist concepts of compassion and emptiness. I pity when some Chinese say that Tibetans are backward. I assume that their measure of backwardness is absence of skycrapers, nuclear weapons, or enjoying delicacies like dogs.

3. That the Tibetan society in the past has some dark sides just as every other human society in this world does. The Chinese society is no exception.

4. That H.H. the Dalai Lama is the incarnation of Avalokiteshvara and has a special karmic relation with our race. How hard the Chinese Communist Party may try, they can not take away His Holiness from our heart. His blessing is reflected in every Tibetan soul.

5. Despite all the oppression, we are ready for compromise, harmony, unity ... as evident from His Holiness's Middle Way Approach. Further our voice is not against the common Chinese population, but is raised against the dictatorial Chinese communist government.

LONG LIVE HIS HOLINESS THE XIV DALAI LAMA.

A Tibetan, in deep respect and dedication to my brave fellow countrymen in Tibet.

Here are 6 cardinal rules of wester journalism.

Rule #1 The chinese are bad
Rule #2 The russians are bad
Rule #3 Arab/Muslims are bad
Rule #4 Arab/Muslims could be good if they carry terrorist attacks against china or russia
Rule #5 Actually Rule #4 can be extended to any groups
rule #6 Israel is always the victim and never the agressor.

Following my 6 golden rules, you, too, can be a western reporter.

It's amazing! The China propaganda machinery is trying to hijack this site with pro-China comments. They are trying to drown out all other viewpoints consistent with what they are doing in Tibet and in China itself. But the fact is that this will only enrage people further and increase sympathy for Tibet.

The entire argument of these anti-democratic participants rests on:
a) the alleged historicity of Tibet's inclusion in China
b) the feudalism of Tibet before Communist take-over
c) the benefits Tibet has accrued by being a part of China.

All these points are weak. Tibet was never an intrinsic part of China but only a (sometime) conquered province. China has tried to anhilate Tibetan culture by flooding it with Han people amongst other atrocities. Even if feudalism in Tibet was fact, Tibetans dont want China's generous help to capture their land and end feudalism any more than Rwanda wants Chinese colonization to end genocide. Lastly, Tibet can get richer without the Chinese who have, in fact, looted Tibet's riches and polluted their land, culture and environment.

Friends as you know China is currently a Christian majority country but still prominent Christian leaders from around the world(apart from Mr. Desmond Tutu) like the Pope or Billy Graham or John Hagee has not said anything on this issue. What do you friends think on this issue ?
Even as a Christian nation do you think China will still remain what it is ? A Christian totalitarian and ruthless and anti-freedom dictatorship.

There are some facts presented to this forum about Dalai Lama's Tibetan slavery society, and his CIA ties and guerrilla wars until 1970's.

What we need are those who think the Dalai Lama is so great to come out and refute what are presented here.

The Dalai Lama is a great communicator, entrepreneur and propogandist who came to this country backed by a cadre of old wealthy families who had previously ruled Tibet and were aghast at the land reforms and political equality that the then Communist Chinese brought to that country. When he first got to this country, the Dalia Lama was hard put to even understand the basics of what a "democracy" is. After all, it was not personal effort and merit that lifted him to his own exalted position and the leaders of Tibet had always traditonally been to the manor born. But quick study that he is, he soon learned to Dem speak really well, and perhaps more amazingly, he ditched the teachings of Buddha and embraced western cafeteria style pick and chose religion. He has authored and co-authored such a huge number of mindless and idiotic feel good books about religion that I would think that Prof. Thurman would at least blush a little at his over the top praise. Let us all take a deep breath and remember that while the Chinese have shown some disrespect for Tibetan culture, the Dalai Lamai has trivialized the great teaching of Buddhism to the point that people really believe that old wise men go on long treks through the wilderness to seek out baby lamas lit up by stars of fortune, surrounded by animals, christ like, in poor remote hovels buried under twenty feet of snow. And that this little lama baby is a new container for the transmigrated life of a previous lama. When in fact that is disfunctional Tibetan myth, a folk tradition that is an anathema to the magnificent humanity of Buddhism which sees all beings as equal, as is the concept of a "Lama" which is also just part of Tibetan folk traditions and pagan beliefs. It is an outrage that this man, who so many in our society believe to be the mouth piece of Buddhism, has allowed these melodramatic superstitions, meant to keep the poor in their place and guarantee the continuance of upper class leadership, has been exalted by society as a man of peace, and even praised by a scholar like Prof Thurman - who, after all, really should know better.

Prohibiting Tibetans from practicing their religion and culture, and killing,torturing and imprisoning them is like handing the Tibetans a can of gasoline with a box of matches. What do the bastard Chinese expect???

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/

This is the English version of the official website of People's Daily of China.

Get some views here even if you are skeptical.

This is an article in Chinese language from the official People's Daily website.

I could not find an English version of it.

I think it is a very good "report card" style article that summarises all the "achievements" in modern Tibet.

Let us collaborate to translate this into English for the benefits of our English readers.

If you urge "dialogue", then you have to listen to the Chinese side of the story, don't you?

http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/1026/7049659.html

China should let media and education being independent from party-state-controlledness.
Internet should not blocked to such a state even to blinding the eyes of its people.Its religious policy should give up its Marxism idealogy.

Thank you, Mr.Tutu.
China should let media and education being independent from party-state-controlledness.
Internet should not blocked to such a state even to blinding the eyes of its people.Its religious policy should give up its Marxism idealogy.

China should let media and education being independent from party-state-controlledness.
internet should not blocked in such a state even to blinding the eyes of people.Its religious policy should give up its Marxism idealogy.

China should let media and education being independent from party-state-controlledness.
internet should not blocked in such a state even to blinding the eyes of people.Its religious policy should give up its Marxism idealogy.

Today Washington Post's article "Eyewitnesses Recount Terrifying Day in Tibet" clearly stated that it was the Dalai-Lama extremists/terrorists who had committed murdurous crime against the innocent Chinese merchants and that it was not the Chinese who "committed the violence against this civilian population of monastics and lay people". Your Holiness TuTu, How can you be so uninformed and quick to judge erroneously, ignoring the facts. If you "urge my esteemed friend Louise Arbour, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit Tibet and be given access to assess...", did you do the same in regard to USA human right violation in Iraq. If not, your Holiness is not a righteous man but a biased person. Blaming China wrongfully and prejudicially violate God's Commandment "Thou shalt not bear false witness againast thy neighbor". The violent murdurous crimes commited by the Dalai-Lama and his fellow extremists'terrorists clearly exposed Dalai-Lama's pretense of peaceful, tolerant and non-violent preaching, dishonoring the Nobel Peace prize, the US Congressional Gold Medal and all those who approved these honors to him. God will accept your repentance if you so desires. Otherwise your Holiness will not see Him.

Has he inhaled something? ;-)

http://www.swans.com/library/art9/mparen01.html

The Dalai Lama in Marianne Dresser (ed.), Beyond Dogma: Dialogues and Discourses (Berkeley, Calif.: North Atlantic Books, 1996). (back)

In a book published in 1996, the Dalai Lama proffered a remarkable statement that must have sent shudders through the exile community. It reads in part as follows:

Of all the modern economic theories, the economic system of Marxism is founded on moral principles, while capitalism is concerned only with gain and profitability. Marxism is concerned with the distribution of wealth on an equal basis and the equitable utilization of the means of production. It is also concerned with the fate of the working classes-that is the majority -- as well as with the fate of those who are underprivileged and in need, and Marxism cares about the victims of minority-imposed exploitation. For those reasons the system appeals to me, and it seems fair. . . .

The failure of the regime in the Soviet Union was, for me not the failure of Marxism but the failure of totalitarianism. For this reason I think of myself as half-Marxist, half-Buddhist. (54)

Will Desmond Tutu swap place with this farmer in Tibet?

http://www.swans.com/library/art9/mparen01.html

A 1999 story in The Washington Post notes that the Dalai Lama continues to be revered in Tibet, but

. . . few Tibetans would welcome a return of the corrupt aristocratic clans that fled with him in 1959 and that comprise the bulk of his advisers. Many Tibetan farmers, for example, have no interest in surrendering the land they gained during China's land reform to the clans. Tibet's former slaves say they, too, don't want their former masters to return to power.

"I've already lived that life once before," said Wangchuk, a 67-year-old former slave who was wearing his best clothes for his yearly pilgrimage to Shigatse, one of the holiest sites of Tibetan Buddhism. He said he worshipped the Dalai Lama, but added, "I may not be free under Chinese communism, but I am better off than when I was a slave." (51)

Dalai Lama is not elected in free elections and would form a religious theocracy as BUSH should say, what is all the fuss.

Have I seen this film before? ....

Richard Gere should play Rambo then ....

http://www.swans.com/library/art9/mparen01.html

"Many of the Tibetan commandos and agents whom the CIA dropped into the country were chiefs of aristocratic clans or the sons of chiefs. Ninety percent of them were never heard from again, according to a report from the CIA itself. (30) The small and thinly spread PLA garrisons in Tibet could not have captured them all. The PLA must have received support from Tibetans who did not sympathize with the uprising. This suggests that the resistance had a rather narrow base within Tibet. "Many lamas and lay members of the elite and much of the Tibetan army joined the uprising, but in the main the populace did not, assuring its failure," writes Hugh Deane. (31) In their book on Tibet, Ginsburg and Mathos reach a similar conclusion: "The Tibetan insurgents never succeeded in mustering into their ranks even a large fraction of the population at hand, to say nothing of a majority. As far as can be ascertained, the great bulk of the common people of Lhasa and of the adjoining countryside failed to join in the fighting against the Chinese both when it first began and as it progressed." (32) Eventually the resistance crumbled. "

Do you really know Dalai Lama? Do you really know the histroy of Tibet? If no, then shut up! No matter you are a Nobel Peace Prize winner or a normal human being. To judge whether Dalai Lama is a peace keeper or terrorist, we need to see what he is doing rather to listen what he is speaking. If you want the Chinese goverment to talk to Dalai Lama, why don't you ask Mr. Bush to talk to Ben Laden first?
Strongly support the Chinese Goverment.

This article is about Old Tibet (pre 1959).

However, it will remind you how the Black Slaves were treated in America as the Tibetan serfs were treated by their lords and lamas.

http://www.swans.com/library/art9/mparen01.html

by Michael Parenti

"The exhibition presented photographs and testimonies of victims who had been blinded or crippled or suffered amputations for thievery. There was the shepherd whose master owed him a reimbursement in yuan and wheat but refused to pay. So he took one of the master's cows; for this he had his hands severed. Another herdsman, who opposed having his wife taken from him by his lord, had his hands broken off. There were pictures of Communist activists with noses and upper lips cut off, and a woman who was raped and then had her nose sliced away. (22) "

And this makes Apartheid looks as holy as Desmond Tutu:

http://www.swans.com/library/art9/mparen01.html

"Some monasteries had their own private prisons, reports Anna Louise Strong. In 1959, she visited an exhibition of torture equipment that had been used by the Tibetan overlords. There were handcuffs of all sizes, including small ones for children, and instruments for cutting off noses and ears, and breaking off hands. For gouging out eyes, there was a special stone cap with two holes in it that was pressed down over the head so that the eyes bulged out through the holes and could be more readily torn out. There were instruments for slicing off kneecaps and heels, or hamstringing legs. There were hot brands, whips, and special implements for disembowling. (21) "

http://www.swans.com/library/art9/mparen01.html

If the following reminds Desmond Tutu of his old country:

"Torture and Mutilation in Shanghri-La

In the Dalai Lama's Tibet, torture and mutilation -- including eye gouging, the pulling out of tongues, hamstringing, and amputation of arms and legs -- were favored punishments inflicted upon thieves, runaway serfs, and other "criminals." Journeying through Tibet in the 1960s, Stuart and Roma Gelder interviewed a former serf, Tsereh Wang Tuei, who had stolen two sheep belonging to a monastery. For this he had both his eyes gouged out and his hand mutilated beyond use. He explains that he no longer is a Buddhist: "When a holy lama told them to blind me I thought there was no good in religion." (19) Some Western visitors to Old Tibet remarked on the number of amputees to be seen. Since it was against Buddhist teachings to take human life, some offenders were severely lashed and then "left to God" in the freezing night to die. "The parallels between Tibet and medieval Europe are striking," concludes Tom Grunfeld in his book on Tibet. (20) "

I think China needs something tougher than a polite message from Bishop Tutu, accompanied by NO concrete demands except "talk". The Chinese government can talk, to be sure, but their talk is rarely sincere and they do not know how to listen. They equate listening with losing face. Note that Gandhi's non-violence did not mean, "I will lie down and you can kick me." He made things difficult for the British without resorting to violence. I hope the EU will decide to boycott the Olympics, or at the very least make their support of it contingent on clear and verifiable conditions to be fulfilled by China.

a old fool.

naive.

Desmond Tutu, my fellow South African, I couldn't have put it better myself! Well said. Furthermore, I don't think that China are aware of what the Olympic Games are truly about. People from all corners of the globe competing against each other in the unity of sport and peace! FREE TIBET!

Let us educate ourselves about China and Tibet:

This is a good starting point:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seventeen_Point_Agreement_for_the_Peaceful_Liberation_of_Tibet

http://www.swans.com/library/art9/mparen01.html

Search "feudal slaves in Tibet" on Google.

Let us educate ourselves about China and Tibet:

This is a good starting point:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seventeen_Point_Agreement_for_the_Peaceful_Liberation_of_Tibet

http://www.swans.com/library/art9/mparen01.html

Search "feudal slaves in Tibet" on Google.

I, for 1, am glad to see some posts with balanced view here.

If you are bothered by people expressing their opinions, it's called power of the internet and I suggest you swallow it and jam it down your throat like pills.

Dear professor:
I just want to express my opmion. I am a chinese girl. you have ever been to China? could you know more than a people who live in China? Do you know what our text books teach us on religion and nationality unity? Our teacher tell us from childhood that 56 ethnical goups should help each other and live together happily, which is also our government 's nationality policy. China is a country of 56 ethnical groups . Not only tibatan chinese are minority goups. The han-chinese live wih other minority groups harmoniously for a long time.In my 25 years of life , i never heard any unhappy dispute beteen ethnical groups.we are very united.Don't you know how strong the influence of religion can be? This time, i totally believe if a religion leader let his followers kill others, his followers can do . this time, it is just Dala who prompt his (followers)monks and small goup of Tibetan chinese to do those crimes. The small goup of criminals can't represent the whole Tibetan chinese. Large number of Tibetan chinese are now scattered on all part of China. some of Tibetan chinese are famous singers and movie stars in Beijing, Shanghai.Oh, i know, many of your journalist are in Beijing now, i suggest your great jounalist can visit these Tibetan singers and stars to see what they say. i am very confident that they will support my standpoints . Dut to its geographical conditi