Bush expresses concern about Tibet to Chinese

[Gunny]

updated 3:07 p.m. CT, Wed., March. 26, 2008
WASHINGTON - President Bush called China's President Hu Jintao on Wednesday and raised concerns about the crackdown in Tibet, joining a growing chorus of international protests about Beijing's tough tactics.

Bush also told Hu that a "mistake had been made" in the shipment of nuclear missile fuses to Taiwan, the president's national security adviser said.

The White House said that Bush encouraged Hu to engage in "substantive dialogue" with representatives of the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet. The president also called on China to allow access for journalists and diplomats in Tibet.

China's crackdown in Tibet is in response to the most sustained uprising against Chinese rule in almost two decades — a challenge that has put China's human rights record in the international spotlight, embarrassing and frustrating a Communist leadership that had hoped for a smooth run-up to the Olympic Games.

The White House has said that Bush would not boycott the Beijing Olympics because of the crackdown, arguing that the games are an event that are supposed to be about the athletes, not politics.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has suggested he might boycott the opening ceremony of the Olympics. Sarkozy, visiting the Houses of Parliament in London on Wednesday, said France and Britain should struggle together for human rights and religious and cultural identity. Sarkozy called for dialogue between China's government and the Dalai Lama.

more ... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23813316/

The President of France talks tougher than the President of the US?

 

[onedomino]

The President of France talks tougher than the President of the US?

Good observation. I noticed in some previous news stories on this topic that Sarko was quite displeased. He is more of a leader on this issue than Bush. The fact that the Chinese are blaming the civil disobedience (if not rebellion) on the Dalai Lama, a profound pacifist, is either delusional or simply meant for domestic propaganda. This situation has festered ever since Mao shot his way into Lhasa in 1950. And it will continue until significant autonomy is negotiated and cultural respect for Tibetans is realized.

 

[BrianH]

It's a shame, but apparently true when it comes to this. I wonder if it has to do with the fact that an @$$ load of stuff we have is made in China?

 

[Gunny]

It's a shame, but apparently true when it comes to this. I wonder if it has to do with the fact that an @$$ load of stuff we have is made in China?

I'd say it probably has everything to do with it.

 

[BrianH]

I'd say it probably has everything to do with it.

The fact that a dump load of our stuff is manufactured in China really scares me. Our situation with China is a ticking time-bomb.

 

[jillian]

Good observation. I noticed in some previous news stories on this topic that Sarko was quite displeased. He is more of a leader on this issue than Bush. The fact that the Chinese are blaming the civil disobedience (if not rebellion) on the Dalai Lama, a profound pacifist, is either delusional or simply meant for domestic propaganda. This situation has festered ever since Mao shot his way into Lhasa in 1950. And it will continue until significant autonomy is negotiated and cultural respect for Tibetans is realized.

As was noted, China produces so much of our goods we can't really say a lot... not to mention them holding our debt. Kind of takes away the power to assert the moral high ground.

 

[BrianH]

As was noted, China produces so much of our goods we can't really say a lot... not to mention them holding our debt. Kind of takes away the power to assert the moral high ground.

Exactly...

 

[Munin]

updated 3:07 p.m. CT, Wed., March. 26, 2008

The White House has said that Bush would not boycott the Beijing Olympics because of the crackdown, arguing that the games are an event that are supposed to be about the athletes, not politics.

Yeah, that s why politicians don't go to the olympics: because it the olympic games are only about the athletes and not about politics, oh wait ...

 

[we_ourselves]

The Dalai Lama is a pacifist by reputation only. In fact, he supported the military uprising against the Chinese in the 1960s (at least, he refused to condemn it).