Senator Obama “Condemns” China’s Use of Force in Tibet
Senator Barack Obama is the first U.S. presidential candidate to issue a statement on China’s crackdown in Tibet (issued March 14):
I am deeply disturbed by reports of a crackdown and arrests ordered by Chinese authorities in the wake of peaceful protests by Tibetan Buddhist monks. I condemn the use of violence to put down peaceful protests, and call on the Chinese government to respect the basic human rights of the people of Tibet, and to account for the whereabouts of detained Buddhist monks.
These events come on the 49th anniversary of the exile of the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, the Dalai Lama. They demonstrate the continuing frustration of the Tibetan people at the way in which Beijing has ruled Tibet. [...]
Tibet should enjoy genuine and meaningful autonomy. [...] Now is the time to respect the human rights and religious freedom of the people of Tibet.
On the whole, this was a strong statement, definitely more powerful than the the tepid official U.S. reaction. Thank you, Senator Obama.
However, Senator Obama does miss something major. Tibetans aren’t just frustrated at “the way in which Beijing has ruled Tibet.” Tibetans are fundamentally opposed to Chinese rule in the first place. They are calling for independence, not “better” rule by Beijing.
Also, Senator Obama misses the significance of March 10, 1959; in addition to being when His Holiness the Dalai Lama fled into exile, it was when Tibetans across Tibet rose up against the Chinese occupation of their country. So while we appreciate Senator Obama’s support for Tibetan autonomy, we would be much happier if he recognized and supported what Tibetans are literally dying for in the streets: independence.
(As and when other presidential candidates make statements on Tibet, we will post them here.)
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[...] Senator Obama “Condemns” China’s Use of Force in Tibet - “Senator Barack Obama is the first U.S. presidential candidate to issue a statement on China’s crackdown in Tibet (issued March 14).” [...]
[...] few days after Senator Obama issued a statement on Tibet, Senator Hillary Clinton did the same. She said, in part: I am deeply concerned about the [...]
Senator Barack Obama made an eloquent, much-needed condemnation of the PRC’s brutal crackdown on non-violent Tibetan protesters, but he must take it one step further.
It is important that Americans are also aware of the connection between the PLA’s military response on peaceful civilians in Tibet and the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989, when ordinary Chinese civilians wanted democratic reforms. Beijing’s violent attitude must not continue without protest.
According to Congressman Tom Tancredo, cooperation with China yields litte for Washington and American businesses. There are countless product recalls, refusals to allow US naval ships to dock in Hong Kong and lack of cooperation with international bodies such as the WHO. Then, there’s Beijing support of the Sudanese government.
For Tibetans, it’s a struggle for independence not a dubious Beijing-invented status quo like the one it imposes on Taiwan.
I hope that the Democrats will have the audacity to take a stand against the arrogance and hypocrisy of the PRC, rather than issue watered-down statements to not offend anyone.
[...] previously posted the statements of Senator Obama and Senator Clinton, the two rivals for the Democratic presidential [...]
[...] We’ve now posted the statements on Tibet of all three U.S. presidential contenders: Senators Clinton, McCain and Obama. [...]