| Moving beyond the restoration of law and | | | | Nevertheless, seething discontent among some |
| order in Lhasa, reporting of Tibetan affairs | | | | quarters of Tibetans need to be addressed. |
| continue to display stark extremes, one | | | | Pockets of lingering disturbances by Tibetans |
| agitating independence and human rights while | | | | in western provinces are manifestation of |
| supporting draconian clamp down and | | | | undercurrents and unresolved festering |
| allegations of blaming foreign conspiracy on | | | | issues. For lasting peace to be achieved, |
| the other end. | | | | there has to be a move to foster better |
| | | | understanding and address some of these |
| The Chinese government has exercised | | | | concerns. Some poorer Tibetans may not have |
| restraint in restoring law and order in | | | | benefited from the economic development, just |
| Lhasa, just as any sovereign democratic | | | | like poorer Chinese in inland provinces. The |
| government would. Even the Dalai Lama tried | | | | rich-poor divide is real. Hence the poor |
| to dissociate himself from the rioters and | | | | target savvy businessmen and minorities who |
| threatened to resign should violence | | | | may be innocent parties, to vent their hatred |
| continued. Footage on scenes of aggressive | | | | and vengeance. |
| agitators and rioters are clear testimony | | | | |
| that the demonstrations are not innocuous, | | | | The bottom line has been established by the |
| spontaneous nor peaceful. The display of | | | | Dalai Lama himself that he is not seeking for |
| violence is premeditated, well orchestrated | | | | independence and secession as some of the |
| and has caught the Chinese authorities off | | | | rioters had in mind. He is against boycotting |
| guard. When men in robes started to attack | | | | the Olympics. Most pragmatists would realize |
| innocents, damage and loot properties, then | | | | that Tibet would not be able to secede and |
| they are no more men of peace which Buddhism | | | | function as an economically self sufficient |
| preaches and therefore do not deserve | | | | state. There would be a vacuum without the |
| respect. They are considered criminals bent | | | | administrative and economic sustenance from |
| on disruptive peace, and the full extent of | | | | China. Examples of some small East European |
| law must be applied to bring these people to | | | | countries and the post-Iraq invasion bring to |
| justice. The authorities have every right | | | | mind the harsh truths and difficulty of |
| and responsibility to its citizens to clamp | | | | governing. |
| down on violence, criminal acts, disruptive | | | | |
| and terrorist behaviour. Fortunately, the | | | | The current Chinese leadership would be in a |
| Chinese security forces have only tear gas | | | | more confident position to heal the |
| and blank bullets and the security measures | | | | sensitivities and historical baggage of the |
| so far have been effective. | | | | invasion by PLA and the brutal suppression of |
| | | | dissent. Mao Zedong is gone and it is a |
| On the whole, Tibetans have improved | | | | different Chinese leadership that would |
| economically; their standard of living is way | | | | undertake the task of a softer approach to |
| higher than those days of serfdom under the | | | | integration. Brushing aside deeper social |
| Lamas. Beijing has invested heavily in | | | | issues is wishing a problem away. |
| communications, industrial development and | | | | |
| social amenities in Tibet. Tibetan culture | | | | It would be helpful if some press, foreign |
| and Buddhist spirit are still very much | | | | leaders and Hollywood stars refrain from |
| alive. | | | | fanning hatred. Meanwhile, the Olympics will |
| | | | go ahead as planned. |