The Unbiased Xinhua!

On a hunch regarding the issue of biased reporting that China claims is being conducted by the Western media and specifically CNN I checked out the Xinhua English edition for April 19, 2008. The article dealt with the Chinese Americans protesting against the Dalai Lama’s separatist activities during the Dalai Lama’s stop in Rochester, Minnesota.
I went through the article then started searching out the U.S. material relevant to this story.
The results are interesting to say the least.
For those unfamiliar with the Xinhua it is the Chinese Communist Party’s official mouth piece which alone acts as the absolute source of Tibet related news in China. It is the paper that carried the Rochester incident story as – Chinese Americans protest against Dalai Lama’s separatist activities which you see below.

Chinese Americans protest against Dalai Lama’s separatist activities

www.chinaview.cn 2008-04-19 00:16:32

WASHINGTON (1) , April 18 (Xinhua) — American Chinese and Chinese students across the United States have been voluntarily and spontaneously staging a series of peaceful protests against the Dalai Lama’s separatist activities as he tours the country.
“Wherever Dalai goes, he will always meet protests from Chinese people and all peace-loving folks,” Ge Yan, a Chinese student studying in Minnesota, told Xinhua on Friday.
During the Dalai Lama’s stop in Rochester, Minnesota, on Wednesday, some 200 Chinese Americans and Chinese students lined up on the streets, condemning the Dalai clique’s attempts to sabotage the Beijing Olympics and expressing firm support for the Games and the torch relay.
The peaceful protesters have gained the attention of U.S. media and public, with the demonstrations being reported by many U.S. media organizations, including Minnesota Public Radio and KAAL TV.
During the Dalai Lama’s stop in Seattle earlier this week, hundreds of Chinese Americans and Chinese students held peaceful demonstrations against his separatist activities.
They are also planning peaceful protests in Washington D.C. and elsewhere.

Wherever Dalai goes, he will always meet protests from Chinese people and all peace-loving folks,” Ge Yan, a Chinese student studying in Minnesota, told Xinhua on Friday.
That is what was reported in Xinhua on Friday April 18, 2008. Now here is some info I was able to obtain at Phayul.com:

“And then I asked him back (the same question) and he said he got 350 dollars (US) from the Chinese government to protest against us (Tibetans and human rights activists). He specifically told us that lots of students, almost all of them were paid to protest against Tibetans,” he added.

Xinhua report:
During the Dalai Lama’s stop in Rochester, Minnesota, on Wednesday, some 200 Chinese Americans and Chinese students lined up on the streets, condemning the Dalai clique’s attempts to sabotage the Beijing Olympics and expressing firm support for the Games and the torch relay.
Report from The Buddhist Channel:
The Dalai Lama’s comments came during a day-long conference at Mayo Clinic’s Siebens Building titled “Investigating the Mind-Body Connection: The Science and Clinical Applications of Meditation.”
Outside, 30 to 35 demonstrators stood in front of the Mayo Building on Second Street Southwest.
Made up of mostly Chinese students studying at the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities, the group denounced riots in China in support of the “Free Tibet” cause.

And this Report from Minnesota Public radio .org
On the street outside the Mayo Clinic, about 50 pro-China demonstrators expressed their support for the Chinese government and its policies toward Tibet. They said the Dalai Lama should do more to stop the unrest in Tibet.
Some said the Tibet question should not be mixed up with the summer Olympics. Others said the western media are biased against China.

The Xinhua report states 200 protesters the MPR says 50 and the Biddhist Channel 30-35.
And what about this:

condemning the Dalai clique’s attempts to sabotage the Beijing Olympics and expressing firm support for the Games and the torch relay.
Compared to this:
A short giggle from the Dalai Lama could ignite the audience into a roar of laughter, but the 72-year-old Buddhist leader sat down to offer his spiritual knowledge to a group of world renounced (2) physicians and scientists.

World renounced physicians and scientist! These must be part of the Dalai’s clique’s that Xinhua is referring to.

As for the Seattle trip earlier that week:
Xinhua:
During the Dalai Lama’s stop in Seattle earlier this week, hundreds of Chinese Americans and Chinese students held peaceful demonstrations against his separatist activities.
MSNBC report:
The first event Friday, a dialogue between scientists and the Dalai Lama about early childhood development and compassion, went smoothly without any demonstrators on either side of the Tibet issue.
The Dalai Lama arrived in Seattle for the session Friday morning under heavy security with police on foot, motorcycles and horses. The only demonstrator outside the gathering site held a sign reading, “Free Taiwan, then Tibet.”

I leave it to my readers to decide.

Notes: (1) Have no idea why the word Washington appears here.

2) I believed the writer of this article meant to write “renowned” and instead wrote “renounced”. Since we are talking about biased reporting here I left the word as it appeared in the article and will let that organization make the correction should they read this post.

Hunterseeker

CNN Web site targeted

Well it would seem that a battle has been raging between CNN and China over a commentary made on April 9, 2008 by Jack Cafferty regarding China or more correctly put, the words Cafferty used.

It would seem that the incident came to a head yesterday when:

About 1,500 pro-Chinese demonstrators gathered outside CNN’s bureau in Los Angeles on Saturday, demanding that a commentator apologize and be fired from the network over comments critical of China and the U.S. government’s relationship with it.

CNN was forced to apologize and said:

“It was not Mr. Cafferty’s nor CNN’s intent to cause offence to the Chinese people, and we would apologise to anyone who has interpreted the comments in this way.

And continued with:

Cafferty was offering his “strongly held” opinion of the Chinese Government, not China’s people, the company said.

Apparently a number of Chinese did not consider the apology enough. A report on April 18 came out which shows the drastic measures being taken by them to continue their attack on CNN:

CNN was targeted Thursday by attempts to interrupt its news Web site, resulting in countermeasures that caused the service to be slow or unavailable to some users in limited areas of Asia.

Someone was trying to warn CNN about this attack but either the message went unheeded, was thought to be a hoax or was never opened:

UPDATE: Tried once again to contact CNN and warn them of the scheduled attack. If anyone has a better contact than just their news tip e-mail, please inform them.

That was on Dark Visitor who tracks exploits and government affiliation of Chinese hackers and he posted that on April 17.

Well what next I wonder. It seems that this matter is not just going to go away. I will be keeping an eye out to see what the next episode brings!

Hunterseeker

World Food Crisis

Update: April 23, 2008:

Apokalypsis

April 13, 2008

As is always the case when it comes to economic down-turns it is the poor that bear the brunt of it. The current economic crisis is no exception. Already people across the different states have begun the practice of “ Dumpster Diving ”. I have seen at least one report of an individual being arrested for robbing food. People have to decide between gas, medicine and food. All of these are signs of an economy that is going from bad to worse. I won’t even get into the job and housing market situation as we all know disaster there.

Well, it came as no surprise when I ran across the report from Radio Netherlands: Rise in food prices leads to international crisis by Pieternel Gruppen dated 12-04-2008 where he reports of the emergency food crisis taking place in at least 37 countries. I have been keeping taps on the current situation in Haiti which reached a flash point this past week with at least 5 dead and Prime Minister Jacques Edouard Alexis was ousted following deadly protests over rising food prices.
I hunted around on the net for other reports and articles and found these:

Food prices on the rise worldwide

As food prices rise, U.S. farmers plan to switch to soybeans

Poorest countries’ cereal bill continues to soar

And there are many more! It is a sad testament of the current human condition which in many instances has in fact been brought about by the rich countries.

You can also read more about the current economic crisis that is spreading on my post

The Next Great Economic Depression

Olympic Torch Goes to Buenos Aires

It would seem that the protest surrounding the Olympic Torch ceremony’s have been successful despite the efforts of the officials of the various cities where the torch has been. More and more people are joining the protest worldwide. So far the Torch has encountered protest in each country it has entered. Now it is Argentina’s turn.

The Torch will be in Buenos Aires on Friday and hopefully the protesters will be out in force there too.
The latest world leader to join is British Prime Minister Gordon Brown who will skip the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. It would seem that the protesters have caused some IOC members to suggested an end to future global torch relays, citing the major anti-Chinese protests in London and Paris, but it’s not clear what precisely the committee plans to discuss with regard to the torch.
Now they can add San Francisco to that list. What about it Buenos Aires will you join in? Let us not forget Hong Kong, on Chinese soil! No doubt they will have massive security.

Even Barack Obama has now asked president Bush  to consider a boycott of the opening ceremonies of the summer Olympic games
What of Europe? The European Parliament urged European Union leaders on Thursday to boycott the opening ceremony at the Beijing Olympics unless China starts talks with the Dalai Lama over the situation in Tibet.

It would seem that Beijing now has its hands full as world support for Tibet continues to mount.
BEIJING, China (CNN) — Authorities arrested 35 people in a predominantly Muslim region of China for planning “violent terrorist activities” involving the Summer Olympic Games, the Public Security Ministry said Thursday.
However, Chinese authorities have not provided any evidence or sources to the public regarding any of the reported terror plots.

Buenos Aires The World is Watching!

U.S. Lawmakers Invested in Iraq, Afghanistan Wars

This does not come as a surprise. Anyone familiar with the working of government knows that when there is a war it is time for the politicians and law makers to make tons of money, with the misery and bloodshed of others. Go through history and see the many companies that have profited from wars, not just the well known arms companies like Colt during the Vietnam war but many, many others. Remember that soldiers need virtually everything necessary to survive not to mention the tons of equipment for the bases, the to and from transport to the theater of war, the hospital supplies ( doctors and nurses included ).

In view of the tons of supplies needed this is a great incentive for businesses and government to push for wars in the first place! Check out this article at IPS News. For the shocking figures.
Hunterseeker

By Abid Aslam
WASHINGTON, Apr 7 (IPS) – U.S. lawmakers have a financial interest in military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, a review of their accounts has revealed.

Members of Congress invested nearly 196 million dollars of their own money in companies that receive hundreds of millions of dollars a day from Pentagon contracts to provide goods and services to U.S. armed forces, say nonpartisan watchdog groups. More…

New Dashboard SUXS 98%

What’s it going to take for WordPress to return our OLD DASHBOARD so we can do our thing! Went to the help section, typed in new dashboard and found the leader of the movement to get our OLD DASHBOARD back! Reaction to New Dashboard 98% Negative

Here is the ringleaders URL: http://fromtheleft.wordpress.com/

Below are some of the comments I found there. If there are so many people complaining why doesn’t WordPress do something?
I have a bunch of information to convey ( at a most critical moment ) and I have had to resort to emailing! Right now WordPress is impeding the flow of information!
I am posting these comments seen below so other WordPress users who don’t check out the forums or use the help button can see that a rebellion is forming on WordPress. Does anyone know the where about’s of Matt! Would it matter?
Hunterseeker Pissed to the Hilt

arxiubecaris
I don’t like at all the new dashboard.
How can I upload text documents now?
Can anybody help me, please?
rizkivmaster
Yeah, bring back my old dashboard……………… huhuhu !
*praying , crying and tearing*
wwinegarden
I agree I am not a totally happy chappy. I am having trouble posting YouTube videos, and the spell checker don’t work… I do like the way it looks though, but I miss the old dashboard
fromtheleft
Over the past year, I talked dozens of my friends to switch from Blogger to WordPress.
I started out on Blogger and grew to hate it. When I moved my blog to WordPress, it was a revelation — a breath of fresh air. But now I’m having my doubts.
It’s one thing to create enhancements and improvements. However, it’s another thing entirely to radically change the dashboard and in the process make it less — not more, user friendly.
This is a very poor design and what I’m seeing is lots of frustration and anger.
Bring the old dashboard back, WordPress. Scrap this experiment. It’s a failure.
zozosmamma
Must have spellcheck, and when I tried to upload photos, everything just froze!!! Grrrr…
rosclarke
I think some of the frustration might have been avoided if we’d had any warning at all about the change. I do think that most of the problems will settle down pretty quickly and maybe we’ll start to see some of the benefits too.
fromtheleft
The greatest “benefits” rosclarke, will take place when the old dashboard is returned.
menopausalagnostic
Decided to do some spring cleaning on my blog this a.m. which involved re-categorizing my posts and for the life of me, I can’t figure out how to do it with this new dashboard.
blaxter
I’ve decided not to post for a couple of days while they get it all sorted!! Some warning would have helped those who got caught up in the first few hours. We could all have stopped using it while they did it.

pkayski
Sorry to dissapoint but Mark said in some post that wordpress is not going back to the way it was… The bugs will be ironed out and everyone will be happy and holding hands in a field full of roses and violets…. Ok u get the idea…
So I suggest you keep complaining until they fix the bugs and when the bugs are fixed and if people still dont like it, well then, well c what happen…
Cheers!
upuaut
I don’t dislike the new dashboard, I’m having _problems_ with it. Buttons to add links and pictures to posts open an empty window. I’m forced to use html. Anyone else that has this problem?
zowy
I dislike the new dashboard
psychonia
i want the old one back as well. or at least get back my image options that i liked. which included:
*being able to choose to create a link with your image
i have to say it is definitely not as user friendly and since most people choose the free version because they are looking for a blog requiring less coding hassle and ease of customization this is a step back.
youngdayofalldays
ugh. is it possible to upload an image without it being auto-crunched to some arbitrary dimensions? (sound of hair being pulled out)
gorightly
This calls for a armed rebellion!
fromtheleft
How’s this working out for ya,’ WordPress? You’ve created a ton of unhappy members.
dearjanesample
So they changed the dashboard, whatever I can live with it. But WHY DID THEY TAKE OUT MY SPELL CHECKER!!!!
WordPress – if you are going to make changes to your product makes sure it doesn’t affect our posting abilities!

And this was only on the first page! There were many other pages!

WordPress Bloggers write your post and let others know of this problem.

To WordPress: With so many people complaining you should revert to the old dashboard.

TO ALL WORDPRESS BLOGGERS!

All WordPress Bloggers should begin filing complaints with WordPress to have the Old Dashboard put back!

This new Dashboard has turned out to be a piece of CRAP that is nothing more than an ABORTION!

THE THING SIMPLY DOES NOT WORK THE WAY IT SHOULD!

I HAVE BEEN CHECKING AROUND AND I NOW KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY DISGRUNTLED BLOGGER HERE. WHY WERE WE NOT ASKED IF WE WANTED CHANGES. THIS THING WAS SPRUNG ON US OVERNIGHT WITHOUT OUR HAVING A CHANCE TO CHECK IT OUT OR WITHOUT ASKING FOR OUR OPINION PRIOR TO MAKING THE CHANGES.

WORDPRESS SHOULD SERIOUSLY RE-THINK THIS WHOLE NEW DASHBOARD VENTURE WHICH NO ONE SEEMS TO LIKE.

SEND IN YOUR COMPLAINT AND LETS SEE IF WE CAN’T GET OUR OLD DASHBOARD BACK!

Olympic torch arrived in San Francisco

The Olympic torch arrived in San Francisco today for its only North American stop.

China: No halt to torch relay

BEIJING, China (CNN) — Beijing insisted Tuesday that the international Olympic torch relay would go on, despite calls to cut it short amid chaotic anti-China protests. More…

For those that reside in the San Francisco area here is the schedule of events for the torch.

Olympic torch events
Today April 8, 2008

– The Beijing Olympic torch will arrive at San Francisco International Airport at 4 a.m.
– A protest against China’s Olympic torch and a celebration of the Tibetan Freedom Torch will start at 11 a.m. at United Nations Plaza, at Market and Hyde streets, near the BART Civic Center Station.
– Richard Gere, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Tibetan leaders will attend the Candle Lights for Human Rights vigil, which will start at 6 p.m. at United Nations Plaza. www.sfteamtibet.org.

Wednesday April 9, 2008
– A group of Burmese monks and Burma democracy supporters will gather at 9:30 a.m. at Vista Point to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, www.badasf.org.
– Team Tibet will meet at 10 a.m. at Ferry Park to protest the Olympic torch relay in San Francisco. www.sfteamtibet.org.
– The Northern California Chinese Culture-Athletic Federation will gather between 9 and 10 a.m. at Justin Herman Plaza and will welcome the Olympic torch team with a public tai chi performance.
– The Olympic torch relay begins at 1 p.m. at McCovey Cove at AT&T Park.
– The Olympic torch closing ceremony is at 3:30 p.m. at Justin Herman Plaza.

Here is an open letter that can be sent to the sponsors of the Olympics:

AN OPEN LETTER TO SPONSORS OF THE BEIJING OLYMPIC GAMES

From: <Your Name or Your Organization Name>

To Olympic Top Partners/sponsors: Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, GE, Johnson&Johnson, Kodak, VISA, lenovo, Panasonic, SAMSUNG, OMEGA, Manulife Financial, Atos Origin

The time for the 2008 Beijing Olympics games to begin is just six months away. The Olympic Torch, which represents the spirit of sportsmanship and the international aspect of the Games, will be in our area very soon. <Or Say it will be touring the world very soon.>

Many will see this torch as a symbol of world solidarity and synergy. After all, the Olympic theme of the Games is “One World, One Dream.” However, we in BADA <Replase ‘in BADA’ with your Organization Name or just delete it> feel that the torch, headed as it is for a government that cares nothing for human rights in its own country and others in its sphere of influence, gives off nothing but cold and unfeeling flames. We are therefore opposing its visit to San Francisco on April 9th, the only North American stop on the worldwide relay. <Leave out this last sentance out or check if it is coming to your area here http://torchrelay.beijing2008.cn/en/journey/>

While we know, as sponsors, that you are excited about being part of this inspiring and historic athletic event, we beg you, along with so many in the world who care deeply about human rights, to think twice about lending your support to a regime that turns its back on the very freedoms that the games epitomize to the world.

We applaud the decision by film director Steven Spielberg to step down as artistic consultant to the Games based on China’s human rights record both at home and abroad. We ask all the Games’ sponsors to follow his example and do the same.

What seems most ironic to us is that August 8th was chosen as the day the Games will begin. That is also the 20th anniversary of the 1988 pro-democracy protests in Burma during which some 3,000 people were killed and the rightful leader of the country, Aung San Suu Kyi, was later imprisoned. This date is extremely painful to the Burmese people and friends of this country everywhere and the focus in Burmese hearts and minds on August 8, 2008 will not be on a sporting event but on the continuing suffering of their people under the brutal regime, known as the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC).

The continued pain and suffering the people of Burma are enduring are a direct result of China’s great military, economic and diplomatic support for the brutal dictatorship in Burma. In exchange, China seeks easy access to the Indian Ocean through Burma for its military, as well as access to Burmese markets and energy for China’s burgeoning economy. In fact, China’s support is so pervasive; it has effectively diluted any pressure applied on the regime for positive change applied by the international community.

Most recently, we were extremely disappointed that China refused to support any binding resolutions at the UN Security Council calling for much-needed concrete measures against Burma’s military regime even after that regime turned on Buddhist monks and peaceful protesters brutally killing, torturing and jailing them indiscriminately.

Further, we strongly support the recent voices raised against the regime and its brutality by Burma’s leading activist groups –- The 88 Generation Students — who led the 1988 uprising as well as last year’s Saffron Revolution, to boycott the Beijing Olympic Games unless China reverses its irresponsible policies towards Burma. We beg you to demand that China act firmly to protect the people of Burma from further human rights abuses of any kind.

We also support the letter to President Hu Jintao of China by the Human Rights Watch Executive Director Ken Roth asking China to take immediate and specific steps to impose a number of sanctions and embargos on the illegal Burmese government. The letter also asks China to use its influence to encourage the SPDC to end its repression and reinstate the rightful democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi. (See letter attached letter)

Please be advised that we are also joining a million TV viewers in a pledge not to watch the Beijing Olympics unless China ends its support for the Burmese military regime and we have pledged not to purchase products from those businesses that are sponsoring the Games.

August 8th may be a time of rejoicing in Beijing as the Opening Ceremony of the XXIX Olympiad gets under way with great fanfare and rejoicing. But to Burmese everywhere the date carries with it the pain and suffering of a nation in chains.

We ask you most humbly to reconsider your sponsorship in the light of China’s disregard of human rights in its own heartland and in rogue nations like Burma.

Sincerely,
<You Name>
<Your Organization>

Source: Burmese American Democratic Alliance

San Francisco Newspapers:

You will find most of the San Francisco newspapers @
ABYZ News Links

Tibetan Web Sites

Beijing Wide Open
Agam’s Gecko
Precious Metal
RFA Unplugged
The Interdependent
The Secret Tibet
The Soul of Tibet
TIBETSPACE
Tibet Talk
Tibet Will Be Free
Tibetan Uprising Movement
Tibeto-logic
Radio Free Asia ( Tibetan Service )
Official website of the Central Tibetan Administration
Canada Tibet Committee
Tibet Search.com
Tibet Link.com Linking Tibetans Worldwide
Tibet Blogs.com
The Tibetan Connection.org
Tibetan Government in Exile
Voice for Tibet

Statement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Sunday, 6 April 2008, 11:30 a.m.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama addresses the International Prayer Day, organised by the Tibetan Solidarity Committee, today, 6 April 2008, at the Tsuglagkhang (main temple) in Dharamshala, India. Scores of Tibetans, young and old, offered prayers for those Tibetans, who sacrificed their lives in the peaceful protests in Tibet

While extending my warm greetings to all the Tibetans in Tibet, I would like to share some of my thoughts.

1. Since March 10 this year, we have witnessed protests and demonstrations in almost all parts of Tibet, even in a few cities in Mainland China by students, which are the outburst of long pent-up physical and mental anguish of the Tibetans and the feeling of deep resentment against the suppression of the rights of Tibetan people, lack of religious freedom and for trying to distort the truth at every occasion, such as saying that Tibetans look towards the Chinese Communist Party as the “Living Buddha”, is an ultra leftist statement and smacks of Han chauvinism. I am very much saddened and concerned by the use of arms to suppress the peaceful demonstrations of Tibetan people’s aspirations that have resulted in unrest in Tibet, causing many deaths, and much more causalities, detention, and injury. Such suppression and suffering are very unfortunate and tragic which will reduce any compassionate person to tears. I, however, feel helpless in the face of these tragic incidents.
2. I pray for all the Tibetans as well as Chinese who have lost their lives during the current crisis.
3. The recent protests all over Tibet have not only contradicted but also shattered the People Republic of China?s propaganda that except for a few “reactionaries”, the majority of Tibetans enjoy a prosperous and contented life. These protests have made it very clear that Tibetans in the three provinces of Tibet, U-tsang, Kham and Amdo, harbor the same aspirations and hopes. These protests have also conveyed to the world that the Tibet issue can no longer be neglected. These protests highlight the need to find a way to resolve the issue through “finding truth from facts”. The courage and determination of those Tibetans who have, for the greater interests of Tibetan people, demonstrated their deep anguish and hopes by risking everything is very commendable as the world community has acknowledged and supported the spirit of these Tibetans.
4. I deeply appreciate the acts of many Tibetan government employees and Communist Party cadres who have, without losing their Tibetan identity, shown grit and sense of what is right during the present crisis. In future, I would appeal to the Tibetan Party cadres and government employees not to look always for their personal benefit, but to work for safeguarding the larger interests of Tibet by reporting the real sentiments of the Tibetan people to their superiors in the Party and try to give unbiased guidance to the Tibetan people.
5. Presidents, Prime Ministers, Foreign Ministers, Nobel Laureates, Parliamentarians, and concerned citizens from every part of the world have been sending clear and strong messages to the Chinese leadership to stop the present ongoing harsh crackdown against the Tibetan people. They have all been encouraging the Chinese government to follow a path where a mutually beneficial solution could be reached. We should create an opportunity for their efforts to bring out positive results. I know you are being provoked at every level but it is important to stick to our non-violent practice.
6. The Chinese authorities have been making false allegations against myself and the Central Tibetan Administration for instigating and orchestrating the recent events in Tibet. These allegations are totally untrue. I have made repeated appeals for an independent and respected international body to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. I am sure this independent body will uncover the truth. If the People?s Republic of China has any basis and proof of evidence to back their allegations, they need to disclose these to the world. Just making allegations is not enough.
7. For the future of Tibet, I have decided to find a solution within the framework of the People’s Republic of China. Since 1974, I have sincerely remained steadfast to the mutually beneficial Middle-Way Approach. The whole world knows this. The Middle-Way Approach means that all Tibetans must be governed by similar administration that enjoys meaningful National Regional Autonomy and all the provisions in it, self-rule and full decision-making, except for matters concerning foreign relations and national defense. However, I have said it from the beginning that the Tibetans in Tibet have the right to make the final decision for the future of Tibet.
8. The hosting of the Olympic games this year is a matter of great pride to the 1.2 billion Chinese people. I have from the very beginning supported the holding of these Games in Beijing. My position on this remains unchanged. I feel the Tibetans should not cause any hindrance to the Games. It is the legitimate right of every Tibetan to struggle for their freedoms and rights. On the other hand, it will be futile and not helpful to anyone if we do something that will create hatred in the minds of the Chinese people. On the contrary, we need to foster trust and respect in our hearts in order to create a harmonious society, as this cannot be built on the basis of force and intimidation.
9. Our struggle is with a few in the leadership of the People’s Republic of China and not with the Chinese people. Therefore we should never cause misunderstanding or do something that will hurt the Chinese people. Even during this difficult situation, many Chinese intellectuals, writers and lawyers in Mainland China and other parts of the world have sympathized and shown us their solidarity by issuing statements, writing articles and offering pledges of support that is overwhelming. I have recently issued an appeal to the Chinese people all over the world on 28th March, which I hope you will hear and read.
10. If the present situation in Tibet continues, I am very much concerned that the Chinese government will unleash more force and increase the suppression of Tibetan people. Because of my moral obligation and responsibility to the Tibetan people, I have repeatedly asked the concerned leadership of the PRC to immediately stop their suppression in all parts of Tibet and withdraw its armed police and troops. If this brings result, I would also advise the Tibetans to stop all the current protests.
11. I want to urge my fellow Tibetans who live in freedom outside Tibet to be extra vigilant as they voice their feelings on the developments in Tibet. We should not engage in any action that could be even remotely interpreted as violent. Even under the most provocative of situations we must not allow our most precious and deeply held values to be compromised. I firmly believe that we will achieve success through our non-violent path. We must be wise to understand where the unprecedented affection and support for our cause stems from.
12. As Tibet is currently virtually closed and no international media is allowed there, I doubt my message will reach the Tibetans in Tibet. But I hope through media and by word of mouth, it will be passed on to the majority of you.
13. Finally, I want to reiterate and appeal once again to Tibetans to practice non-violence and not waver from this path, however serious the situation might be.

The Dalai Lama
Dharamsala
April 6, 2008
(N.B. Translated from the Tibetan original)

Source: Official website of the Central Tibetan Administration