In what must rank as today's most cringe-worthy development, the NY Times reports that China has jailed 30 Tibetans for their alleged looting and violence against ethnic Chinese in Tibet last month. One man was given a life sentence for burning cars and throwing stones.
And who does China continue to blame for causing and orchestrating the clashes? The Dalai Llama, of course - the same man Chinese officials announced Friday they'd like to meet with. It's a diabolical strategy - paint the exiled leader as a treacherous puppet master while extending a warm welcoming hand to him. Chinese officials are very good at staying on message. To wit:
“We hope the Dalai can cherish this opportunity, recognize the situation and change his position to take concrete measures to stop his criminal acts of violence, stop his sabotage of the Beijing Olympics and his separatist activities, so as to create conditions for the next step of talks,” the spokeswoman, Jiang Yu, said during a news conference.
Strange how China wants the Dalai Llama to both lead Tibetans and not lead Tibetans. There's nothing quite like the Olympic spirit.
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Jeremy Gantz is an In These Times contributing editor working at Time magazine.
