Talk

The Olympic Games was supposed to be China coming-out ceremony. A matter of ‘face’ is involved in ensuring that China has a problem-free Olympics. With the Tibet riots, there go that idea.

The Tibet riots for the past 2 weeks has put China in a very bad light and you have to say its’ a problem of China’s own making. Now I won’t go into whether Tibet should be a part of China or not as that is a question with no answer, but I don’t understand China refusal to speak to the Dalai Lama. Instead of talking to the Dalai Lama, they are accusing him of trying to take the Olympic Games "hostage" as the wave of violence hit Tibet. This despite the Dalai Lama’s repeated calls for peace talks and non-violence! In fact most observers believe that if it’s not for the Dalai Lama, the violence in Tibet would have been much, much worse.

What thanks the man get for trying peace? Nothing but threats and insults from China! The Liberation Army Daily, the People's Daily and other major papers in China has been filled with nothing but lengthy pieces lambasting the Dalai Lama for the alleged goal of independence for Tibet. I say ‘alleged goal’ because the Dalai Lama has always state that independence is not his goal.

Instead of talking to the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual and most influential leader, China has accuse him of formatting the riots. The unrest has become a major public relations nightmare for China just five months ahead of the Olympics, but to me that’s a minor point. No one will remember the unrest when they think of the Olympics in a few years time. But the treatment of the highly-respected Dalai Lama will be remembered, especially by the Tibetans. China sounds that they are almost wishing that there is someone behind the violence. Be careful for what you wish for; once the Dalai Lama die, the next Tibetan leader might just grant them that wish.

Talk to the Lama while there’s still a chance to talk peace.