COUNTER-OFFENSIVE
The outburst of Tibetan discontent against the Chinese presence brought violent riots to Lhasa on Friday and ripples of unrest have continued across Tibet and neighbouring areas.
Beijing launched a sweeping counter-offensive in Tibet and neighbouring provinces that are home to many ethnic Tibetans. Troops have poured into isolated towns on winding mountain roads, and foreign reporters are barred from the area.
In Kangding, a heavily Tibetan town in western Sichuan province, next to Tibet, roads were crowded with troops who blocked most travel. Notices on walls warned locals not to protest and to stay away from the "Dalai clique".
"Resolutely protect the unity of the motherland, protect unity among ethnic groups," declared one red banner.
But Beijing has had a hard time abroad selling its claim the Dalai Lama, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, instigated the violence, and that Chinese policy is not to blame.
One striking thing is "the lack of understanding in Beijing about how popular the Dalai Lama is in the West ... attacking the Dalai Lama personally is a losing proposition," said Carnegie's Pei.
China responded with clear irritation to Prime Minister Gordon Brown's plan, announced on Wednesday, to meet the 72-year-old monk on a visit to Britain in May. The Foreign Ministry urged London to recognise the Dalai Lama was trying to divide China "under the camouflage of religion".
MAYHEM AND DAMAGE
China has said that 13 innocent people died in the Lhasa violence, and at least 3 rioters. Exiled Tibetan groups have said as many as 100 Tibetans died.
State media on Thursday reported on the anti-Chinese riots in Sichuan and Gansu provinces which neighbour Tibet, underscoring the bitterness now dividing many Tibetans and Han Chinese.
Tibetan protesters across Gansu province had attacked government offices, flown pro-independence banners and attacked and burnt cars and shops. But government officials were at pains to blame the Dalai Lama, not broader discontent.
"Their evil motive was to cause chaos and disrupt the Beijing Olympic Games," a province government official said, according to Lanzhou Evening News Web site ( www.lzbs.com).
