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China Faces Political Challenge
in Tibet |
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In the Tibet
city of Lhasa this weekend, smoke from tear gas, bonfires and
burned shops riddled
the landscape. At least ten people have already died in the
political violence, according to state media reports.
As the opening date of the 2008 China Olympics quickly
approaches, Beijing is faced with the hard decision as to
whether or not its image can withstand a harsher crackdown
against mounting violence in Tibet.
Chinese government representatives in Tibet have accused the
Dalai Lama of supporting and even the inciting the unrest and
have imposed a strict curfew, ordering people to stay indoors.
The head of the regional Tibetian government warned that, "We
will deal harshly with these criminals who are carrying out
activities to split the nation."
The U.S. Ambassador to China has urged Chinese officials to use
restraint in dealing with the protesters. China, which has
invested billions of dollars in preparation for the Olympics, is
betting its national prestige on the games and believes that the
riots in Tibet's will be a political challenge they can
withstand.
3/15/07 Houston |
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