Over the last couple of weeks protests by Tibetans all over the world has been a cause for concern. The Tibetans have accused the Chinese govt. of not granting religious freedom and suppressing Tibetan culture. china has tried to suppress the protesters in their own backyard without success. A few years back, this would have been reason enough for the communist party of china to order a ruthless crackdown. But with the Olympics so close they have had to dispense with the conventional response.

                China has blamed his holiness, the dalai lama for inciting the violence. The dalai lama has always insisted that he does not stand for the independence of Tibet. The US house speaker Nancy Pelosi has been in talks with the Dalai lama and his followers. i believe the US has not used its power well enough in this regard. The Olympic movement promotes peace and liberalism. These are not qualities china is well known for. All hopes that the Beijing Olympics would kick start reforms in china have been dashed..

                I condemn the treatment meted out to peaceful protesters especially in India and Nepal. They seem to be no better than china in matters of freedom. I did not notice any crackdowns on protesters in London and Washington because peaceful protests are not illegal in a democracy. It seems as though India and Nepal have shamefully yielded to pressure from china. It is the responsibility of India as the world’s largest democracy to speak for the people of Tibet. So far no nation barring france and germany have shown the courage to threaten a boycott. China’s manufacturing sector and their recently improved military capability has had a major role to play. I personally believe a an American boycott would create a major impact. Pres. Bush is considering a boycott of the opening ceremony. Unless the the major nations demand more transparency from china and play a greater role, I really cannot see a way out for the Tibetans.