Dozens Reported Killed In Tibetan Protests

Demonstrators Worldwide Protest Crackdown; Beijing Threatens "Stern" Punishment If Activists Do Not Surrender

(CBS/AP)  China locked down the Tibetan capital Saturday after the largest and most violent protests against its rule in the region in nearly two decades.

At least 10 people were killed when demonstrators rampaged through Lhasa, dashing Beijing's plans for a smooth run-up to August's Olympics.

Police broke up a protest by 200 Tibetans in Nepal's capital on Saturday, beating them with bamboo batons and arresting at least 20, as Tibetan exile communities ramped up demonstrations around the world.

Hundreds gathered peacefully for a candlelight vigil in Dharmsala, India, the headquarters of Tibet's government-in-exile. But gatherings in western China, the United States, Australia and India's capital descended into violence when police tried to disperse crowds of distraught exiles.

Streets in Lhasa were mostly empty Saturday as a curfew remained in place. Eyewitnesses described baton-wielding police patrolling streets as fires from Friday's violence smoldered. Reports of deaths and arrests were varied and could not be independently confirmed.

China's official Xinhua News Agency said 10 people - including two hotel employees and two shop owners - were burned to death, but no foreigners were hurt. The report did not give any other details.

Tibet's main exile group claimed Saturday that it had confirmed reports that Chinese authorities killed 30 Tibetan demonstrators and injured many more, and unconfirmed reports of over 100 deaths.

CBS News correspondent Barry Petersen reports that in Beijing today, the National People's Congress re-elected Hu Jintao as China's president ... the vote, not surprisingly, was unanimous.

Hu made his name in 1989 when he was the Communist party boss in Tibet where he moved quickly and harshly to put down similar protests by Tibetan monks.

This time around he is using the same playbook, act quickly, flood the streets with soldiers, and blame it all on Tibetans out to make trouble on the world stage for China.

The unrest comes two weeks before China's highly anticipated Olympic celebrations kick into high gear with the start of the torch relay, which passes through Tibet.

Sun Weide, a spokesman for the Beijing Olympics organizing committee, said the unrest would not have a negative impact on the Games or the torch relay.

Preparations to carry the Olympic torch across Mount Everest and across Tibet "have been proceeding very smoothly and according to schedule," Sun said.

"The hosting of the Beijing Games is the 100-year dream for Chinese people and I think the Chinese people, including our compatriots in Tibet, very much look forward to hosting the Games," Sun said.

The United States and other governments have urged China to show restraint on the protesters. Meanwhile, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said a boycott of the Summer Games over China's crackdown would only hurt athletes. (See below.)

China's governor in Tibet vowed to punish the rioters, while law enforcement authorities urged protesters to turn themselves in by Tuesday or face unspecified punishment.

"We will deal harshly with these criminals in accordance with the law," Champa Phuntsok, chairman of the Tibetan government, told reporters in Beijing where he was attending a legislative meeting. "Beating, smashing, looting and burning - we absolutely condemn this sort of behavior. This plot is doomed to failure."

He blamed the protests on followers of the Dalai Lama, who fled into exile in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule and is still Tibet's widely revered spiritual leader.

From Dharamsala, India, the Dalai Lama appealed to China not to use force, saying he was "deeply concerned," and urged Tibetans "not to resort to violence."

Over the centuries, Tibet was at times part of China's dynastic empires. Communist forces invaded the region in 1950, to reclaim the Himalayan region and seize the commanding heights overlooking rival India.

The latest unrest began Monday, the anniversary of the 1959 uprising, when 300 monks from one monastery demanded the release of other monks detained last fall. But political demands soon came to the fore.

The violence erupted on the fifth day, after police tried to stop monks from protesting in central Lhasa, ordinary Tibetans vented pent-up anger on Chinese, hurling stones and torching shops and cars.

"The protesters yesterday went from attacking Chinese police to attacking innocent people very, very quickly," said a blog entry by a group of Westerners staying in a hotel in central Lhasa near the riot. "Many Tibetans were also caught in the crossfire."

On Saturday, Xinhua said Lhasa had "reverted to calm" and electricity and phone service, which had been cut for parts of Friday, was being restored.

A notice issued by Tibet's high court, prosecutors office and police department offered leniency for demonstrators who surrender before Tuesday. Otherwise, they will be "severely punished," according to a notice carried on official Web sites and confirmed by prosecutors.

Some shops in Lhasa were closed. Tourists were told to stay in their hotels and make plans to leave, but government staff were required to work.

"There's no conflict today. The streets look pretty quiet," said a woman who answered the telephone at the Lhasa Hotel.

Tourists reached by phone described soldiers standing in lines sealing off streets where the rioting occurred. Armored vehicles and trucks ferried soldiers.

"There are military blockades blocking off whole portions of the city, and the entire city is basically closed down," said a 23-year-old Western student who arrived in Lhasa on Saturday. "All the restaurants are closed, all the hotels are closed."

Plooij Frans, a Dutch tourist who left the capital Saturday morning by plane and arrived in the Nepali capital of Katmandu, said he saw about 140 trucks of soldiers drive into the city within 24 hours.

[truthword08]

qazi63,

The Quran is not Holy and it is not the Word of God. It is a false teaching and you have been deceived.

[tucano2]

Ordinary people all across the planet have decided to greatly reduce purchases of anything "Made in China". Do the math: 5 Billion non-Chinese spending $10 LESS each month on "Made in China" products results in a huge economic hit. When the Chinese leaders refuse to listen to reason about Tibet then it is time to make them pay attention to their wallets.

[tucano2]

I understand the people (not any "government", officially) have started a world-wide effort on the part of free peoples to avoid buying anything "Made in China" to the fullest possible extent till at least 3 months after Tibet is once again a free nation and a member of the United Nations as a sovereign, not puppet, nation. This is a worthy, non-military, non-confrontational, pacific and non-violent method of bringing the tremendous economic power of the other 5 billion people of the world to bear on the economic stability of China and consequent pressure on the leaders of China to get themselves out of Tibet. My family supports this movement the best we can. Do the math: at least $10/month x 5 Billion NOT purchased from China is huge.
Why don''t you and your family do the same?

[longsky1]

I don''t mind their protesting. I just hope it''s in a peaceful way. If you go here http://www.phayul.com/images/news/articles/080314074347FZ.jpg and go here http://www.phayul.com/images/news/articles/0803150842239X.jpg, you know they destroy. They don''t destroy the World Trade Center, but they destroy the streets, stores and vehicles. The date is on the anniversary of the 1959 uprising, and so it relates to Dalai Lama. Last year, Bush granted Dalai Lama a medal, Canada''s prime minister Harper interviewed him, and German prime minister did the same thing. Can you guys imagine that somebody break in and destroy, but somebody else grants him a medal or interview him and say you are good?

What the hell is wrong with this world?

[longsky1]

I don''t mind their protesting. I just hope it''s in a peaceful way. If you go here http://www.phayul.com/images/news/articles/080314074347FZ.jpg and go here http://www.phayul.com/images/news/articles/0803150842239X.jpg, you know they destroy. They don''t destroy the World Trade Center, but they destroy the streets, stores and vehicles. The date is on the anniversary of the 1959 uprising, and so it relates to Dalai Lama. Last year, Bush granted Dalai Lama a medal, Canada''s prime minister Harper interviewed him, and German prime minister did the same thing. Can you guys imagine that somebody break in and destroy, but somebody else grants him a medal or interview him and say you are good?

What the hell is wrong with this world?

[longsky1]

I don''t mind their protesting. I just hope it''s in a peaceful way. If you go here http://www.phayul.com/images/news/articles/080314074347FZ.jpg and go here http://www.phayul.com/images/news/articles/0803150842239X.jpg, you know they destroy. They don''t destroy the World Trade Center, but they destroy the streets, stores and vehicles. The date is on the anniversary of the 1959 uprising, and so it relates to Dalai Lama. Last year, Bush granted Dalai Lama a medal, Canada''s prime minister Harper interviewed him, and German prime minister did the same thing. Can you guys imagine that somebody break in and destroy, but somebody else grants him a medal or interview him and say you are good?

What the hell is wrong with this world?

[seeityoursel]

Rather than arguing about who is better and who is not. I think we need to find out what is happening right in Tibet. Here is something to keep you all updated. Please check out this website www.phayul.com This website is censored in China, so those in China, I am sorry that you wont be able to check it. Your government is discreet about the kind of information you get.

Eight dead bodies brought into Ngaba Kirti Monastery

TCHRD[Sunday, March 16, 2008 19:35]
March 16 - Eight dead bodies have been brought into Ngaba Kirti Monastery according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy. The bodies were brought in from the protest scene in Ngaba County, Sichuan Province. Sources say at least "30 Tibetans felled" after armed troops shot indiscriminately into the peacefully protesting Tibetans. Out of the eight bodies, one has been identified as Lobsang Tashi, a former monk in his mid 20s. The remaining bodies are unidentified at the moment. The monks in Kirti Monastery are currently offering prayers for the deceased.

TCHRD will continue to monitor and update as situation progresses.

[o_omy]

You know what, i don''t quite trust Chinese gov, however, i don''t trust western medias either.
No matter what your guys think, in my opinion, for this time''s problem in tibet, those lamas DIDN''T protest PEACEFUllY.
I really don''t believe that chinese gov is that stupid---shot first---especially after 1989''s lesson.this is 2008, they will never ever want their Olympic to fail, so they won''t provok first.
To be honest,i really feel that dalai lama and his mates suck most of the time.they are troublemakers, always.

[seeityoursel]

Rather than arguing about who is better and who is not. I think we need to find out what is happening right in Tibet. Here is something to keep you all updated. Please check out this website www.phayul.com This website is censored in China, so those in China, I am sorry that you wont be able to check it. Your government is discreet about the kind of information you get.

Eight dead bodies brought into Ngaba Kirti Monastery

TCHRD[Sunday, March 16, 2008 19:35]
March 16 - Eight dead bodies have been brought into Ngaba Kirti Monastery according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy. The bodies were brought in from the protest scene in Ngaba County, Sichuan Province. Sources say at least "30 Tibetans felled" after armed troops shot indiscriminately into the peacefully protesting Tibetans. Out of the eight bodies, one has been identified as Lobsang Tashi, a former monk in his mid 20s. The remaining bodies are unidentified at the moment. The monks in Kirti Monastery are currently offering prayers for the deceased.

TCHRD will continue to monitor and update as situation progresses.

[seeityoursel]

Rather than arguing about who is better and who is not. I think we need to find out what is happening right in Tibet. Here is something to keep you all updated. Please check out this website www.phayul.com This website is censored in China, so those in China, I am sorry that you wont be able to check it. Your government is discreet about the kind of information you get.

Eight dead bodies brought into Ngaba Kirti Monastery

TCHRD[Sunday, March 16, 2008 19:35]
March 16 - Eight dead bodies have been brought into Ngaba Kirti Monastery according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy. The bodies were brought in from the protest scene in Ngaba County, Sichuan Province. Sources say at least "30 Tibetans felled" after armed troops shot indiscriminately into the peacefully protesting Tibetans. Out of the eight bodies, one has been identified as Lobsang Tashi, a former monk in his mid 20s. The remaining bodies are unidentified at the moment. The monks in Kirti Monastery are currently offering prayers for the deceased.

TCHRD will continue to monitor and update as situation progresses.

[seeityoursel]

Rather than arguing about who is better and who is not. I think we need to find out what is happening right in Tibet. Here is something to keep you all updated. Please check out this website www.phayul.com This website is censored in China, so those in China, I am sorry that you wont be able to check it. Your government is discreet about the kind of information you get.

Eight dead bodies brought into Ngaba Kirti Monastery

TCHRD[Sunday, March 16, 2008 19:35]
March 16 - Eight dead bodies have been brought into Ngaba Kirti Monastery according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy. The bodies were brought in from the protest scene in Ngaba County, Sichuan Province. Sources say at least "30 Tibetans felled" after armed troops shot indiscriminately into the peacefully protesting Tibetans. Out of the eight bodies, one has been identified as Lobsang Tashi, a former monk in his mid 20s. The remaining bodies are unidentified at the moment. The monks in Kirti Monastery are currently offering prayers for the deceased.

TCHRD will continue to monitor and update as situation progresses.

[seeityoursel]

Rather than arguing about who is better and who is not. I think we need to find out what is happening right in Tibet. Here is something to keep you all updated. Please check out this website www.phayul.com This website is censored in China, so those in China, I am sorry that you wont be able to check it. Your government is discreet about the kind of information you get.

Eight dead bodies brought into Ngaba Kirti Monastery

TCHRD[Sunday, March 16, 2008 19:35]
March 16 - Eight dead bodies have been brought into Ngaba Kirti Monastery according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy. The bodies were brought in from the protest scene in Ngaba County, Sichuan Province. Sources say at least "30 Tibetans felled" after armed troops shot indiscriminately into the peacefully protesting Tibetans. Out of the eight bodies, one has been identified as Lobsang Tashi, a former monk in his mid 20s. The remaining bodies are unidentified at the moment. The monks in Kirti Monastery are currently offering prayers for the deceased.

TCHRD will continue to monitor and update as situation progresses.

[seeityoursel]

Rather than arguing about who is better and who is not. I think we need to find out what is happening right in Tibet. Here is something to keep you all updated. Please check out this website www.phayul.com This website is censored in China, so those in China, I am sorry that you wont be able to check it. Your government is discreet about the kind of information you get.

Eight dead bodies brought into Ngaba Kirti Monastery

TCHRD[Sunday, March 16, 2008 19:35]
March 16 - Eight dead bodies have been brought into Ngaba Kirti Monastery according to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy. The bodies were brought in from the protest scene in Ngaba County, Sichuan Province. Sources say at least "30 Tibetans felled" after armed troops shot indiscriminately into the peacefully protesting Tibetans. Out of the eight bodies, one has been identified as Lobsang Tashi, a former monk in his mid 20s. The remaining bodies are unidentified at the moment. The monks in Kirti Monastery are currently offering prayers for the deceased.

TCHRD will continue to monitor and update as situation progresses.

[ansonmao]

I am a Chinese, I ''ve read most of the comments above.

Yes, China has many problems,however, but it is changing everyday.

I strongly believe it is wrong to boycott the olympic game holding in China if you really want the world become better. The olympic game is a communication bridge for Chinese and the rest of the world. Most untrust or suspicous comes from misunderstanding or ignorance, the olympic game is an excellent opportunity for the rest of world to know more about China.

It is a bad idea for the Tibet to get independent for the sake of the wellfare of Tibetans.
Without the capital, technology and market, the Tibetan economy will be in difficulty as it will be isolated from the world. If you knows more about Tibet, you will understand Tibet used to be a very poor and backward area where still a slavery society before 1950.

You could compare the living standard of Tibet with his neighbour Nepal or India that Tibetan have a better life than his neighbour''s.So why do you want Tibetan to get independent , do you want them to live in a worse life?

[alphaa10-2009]

theearthling said, "Ask 95% of the Tibetian people today and they will tell you they are "better off" now than any period in their history..."
---
After hearing your self-congratulatory speech about doing one''s homework, I must ask you to do yours.

You certainly cannot persuade many that because the Chinese empire frequently claimed the region, the Tibetans are Chinese subjects. That is to argue that since Visigoths overran Europe at about the same time, we belong today to the Visigoths-- when and if they decide to return to claim us. The logic needs more homework.

Irridentism is not a potent argument for those who would impose their views on another people by force. Always, we must start with what a people wants. And a contrived PRC survey of Tibetans about comfort level is not an arguement for assimilation, but proof even prisoners can play a part in PRC propaganda.

Tibetans do credit the PRC with bringing asphalt highways and rail service. But they also know why-- better to truck in more Chinese troops and settlers, eager to assert their claims of manifest destiny. Remind you of a familiar country?

[alphaa10-2009]

Taylor2124 does Archie Bunker so well, he lives the role.

And having despaired of Tibetan democracy and independence, Archie insists we are in Iraq to promote Iraqi democracy and independence.

Reassuringly enough, he also will tell us we do not waste $2 billion weekly and 4,000 American lives and tens of thousands wounded for nothing in Iraq.

Yup, he will swear we are wasting them for something-- perhaps Lord Cheney''s friends, who attended his super-secret energy conference. They surely could tell us more.

The Tibetans have no oil to interest Archie, they have only the same principles he claims justify Iraq.

[theearthling]

It''s time for all you pundits out there to read your history! If you do so, you will find that the territory known as Tibet has always been a part of the Chinese Empire since Chin times, and the fuedal lords (lamas) were more dispictable than any found in Europe. Through the religion they kept the people downtrodden. Ask 95% of the Tibetian people today and they will tell you they are "better off" now than any period in their history. Do your homework brfore piping off!

[alphaa10-2009]

cneron provides an Editors note to poster Citizen Kane: "I''m afraid your attempt at melodrama falls flat..."
---
The stuff CK claims to have written is so contrived and purple, it must be original. It doesn''t meet even the minimal standards of Faux News.

Agitated though CK may be about 911, however, where is CK''s concern about the Bush who did not call even a single meeting of his counter-terrorism group before the attack?

After a full eight months on the job, Bush was unconcerned-- not a detectable heartbeat of awareness, let alone anxiety about airliner hijackings. He spent a lot of time back in Texas, clearing brush on his toy ranch-- more time off than any president in recent memory.

Yet, Bush had plenty of people willing to help him get up to speed. Before Condi Rice got the memo about hijackings, Bush had gotten other warnings from intelligence people on a regular basis-- but still did nothing.

Meanwhile, Paul Wolfowitz was so immersed in the Iraq invasion planning, he had to ask Clarke about what "al Qaeda" meant...

[iceman_1960]

China should invade Texas and impose democracy on Bush.

[iceman_1960]

"Will Bush invade China to inflict a Democratic but corporate controlled government upon them?"
- Posted by CBSBlogger at 08:08 PM : Mar 15, 2008
--------------------

If you think the Iraq war lasted a long time...