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Tibetans' lives 'hell on Earth' Tibetan people put through 'hell'
(about 3 hours later)
The Dalai Lama has launched a fierce attack on Chinese rule in his Tibetan homeland, describing its people's lives as "hell on Earth". The Dalai Lama has launched a fierce attack on Chinese rule in his Tibetan homeland, saying his people had experienced "hell on Earth".
Five decades of Chinese rule had caused "untold suffering", Tibet's exiled spiritual leader said, accusing Beijing of creating a climate of fear.Five decades of Chinese rule had caused "untold suffering", Tibet's exiled spiritual leader said, accusing Beijing of creating a climate of fear.
He also repeated his demand for Tibet's "legitimate and meaningful autonomy".He also repeated his demand for Tibet's "legitimate and meaningful autonomy".
His words came on the 50th anniversary of a failed uprising against Chinese troops which led to his exile.His words came on the 50th anniversary of a failed uprising against Chinese troops which led to his exile.
The BBC's James Reynolds in Beijing says that the Dalai Lama's words were different from his usual peaceful comments.The BBC's James Reynolds in Beijing says that the Dalai Lama's words were different from his usual peaceful comments.
This is perhaps a sign of the exasperation and frustration he must feel over China's stance, our correspondent says.This is perhaps a sign of the exasperation and frustration he must feel over China's stance, our correspondent says.
China says its troops freed Tibetans from effective slavery in a feudal society. It is planning to mark 28 March - the day in 1959 on which the Communist Party dissolved the existing local government in Tibet - as Serfs' Emancipation Day.China says its troops freed Tibetans from effective slavery in a feudal society. It is planning to mark 28 March - the day in 1959 on which the Communist Party dissolved the existing local government in Tibet - as Serfs' Emancipation Day.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu described the Dalai Lama's statement as "lies".Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu described the Dalai Lama's statement as "lies".
"The Dalai Lama clique is confusing right and wrong. They are spreading rumours. The democratic reforms [under Chinese rule] are the widest and most profound reforms in Tibetan history," he said, quoted by AFP news agency."The Dalai Lama clique is confusing right and wrong. They are spreading rumours. The democratic reforms [under Chinese rule] are the widest and most profound reforms in Tibetan history," he said, quoted by AFP news agency.
On Monday, President Hu Jintao called for a "Great Wall" against Tibetan separatism.On Monday, President Hu Jintao called for a "Great Wall" against Tibetan separatism.
'Expected sabotage''Expected sabotage'
Thousands of Chinese troops and paramilitary police are said to have been deployed in Tibetan-populated regions amid fears of fresh violence on the sensitive anniversary.Thousands of Chinese troops and paramilitary police are said to have been deployed in Tibetan-populated regions amid fears of fresh violence on the sensitive anniversary.
DALAI LAMA'S SPEECH The speech in full [43.6KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here Campaign groups have already reported some unrest in areas around Tibet. China does not allow foreign journalists unrestricted access to Tibet or restive areas surrounding it, making it extremely difficult to verify these reports. DALAI LAMA'S SPEECH Today, the religion, culture, language and identity, which successive generations of Tibetans have considered more precious than their lives, are nearing extinction - in short, the Tibetan people are regarded like criminals deserving to be put to death Dalai Lama The speech in full [43.6KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
Campaign groups have already reported some unrest in areas around Tibet. China does not allow foreign journalists unrestricted access to Tibet or restive areas surrounding it, making it extremely difficult to verify these reports.
Beijing says it has tightened its border controls in preparation for "expected sabotage activities by the Dalai Lama clique".Beijing says it has tightened its border controls in preparation for "expected sabotage activities by the Dalai Lama clique".
But there have been demonstrations around the Asia-Pacific region.But there have been demonstrations around the Asia-Pacific region.
Four people were arrested in clashes with police outside the Chinese embassy in the Australian capital Canberra but later released.Four people were arrested in clashes with police outside the Chinese embassy in the Australian capital Canberra but later released.
In Nepal about 100 Tibetan exiles were blocked by police outside Kathmandu, as the government imposed a ban on protests outside the Chinese embassy, AFP news agency reported.In Nepal about 100 Tibetan exiles were blocked by police outside Kathmandu, as the government imposed a ban on protests outside the Chinese embassy, AFP news agency reported.
'Mutual benefit''Mutual benefit'
The Dalai Lama said hundreds of thousands of Tibetans had been killed, and thousands of places of worship destroyed.The Dalai Lama said hundreds of thousands of Tibetans had been killed, and thousands of places of worship destroyed.
But the two sides needed to work for "mutual benefit".But the two sides needed to work for "mutual benefit".
"We Tibetans are looking for legitimate and meaningful autonomy, an arrangement that would enable Tibetans to live within the framework of the People's Republic of China," the exiled leader said."We Tibetans are looking for legitimate and meaningful autonomy, an arrangement that would enable Tibetans to live within the framework of the People's Republic of China," the exiled leader said.
"I have no doubt that the justice of Tibet's cause will prevail.""I have no doubt that the justice of Tibet's cause will prevail."
The Dalai Lama paid tribute to all those who had died since 1959, including victims of last year's deadly protests in Lhasa that spilled over into other ethnic Tibetan regions. TIBET DIVIDE China says Tibet was always part of its territoryTibet enjoyed long periods of autonomy before the 20th CenturyChina launched a military assault in 1950Opposition to Chinese rule led to a bloody uprising which began on 10 March 1959Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, fled days later and crossed into India on 31 March 1959 China's position on TibetThe Tibetan exile position The Dalai Lama paid tribute to all those who had died since 1959, including victims of last year's deadly protests in Lhasa that spilled over into other ethnic Tibetan regions. TIBET DIVIDE China says Tibet was always part of its territoryTibet enjoyed long periods of autonomy before the 20th CenturyChina launched a military assault in 1950Opposition to Chinese rule led to a bloody uprising which began on 10 March 1959Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, fled days later and crossed into India on 31 March 1959 China's position on TibetThe Tibetan exile position class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=6184&edition=2">Send us your comments
Successive Chinese campaigns - class struggle, the Cultural Revolution and "patriotic re-education" - had "thrust Tibetans into such depths of suffering and hardship that they literally experienced hell on earth", he said from his seat in exile in India's Dharamsala.Successive Chinese campaigns - class struggle, the Cultural Revolution and "patriotic re-education" - had "thrust Tibetans into such depths of suffering and hardship that they literally experienced hell on earth", he said from his seat in exile in India's Dharamsala.
"Even today Tibetans in Tibet live in constant fear and the Chinese authorities remain constantly suspicious of them.""Even today Tibetans in Tibet live in constant fear and the Chinese authorities remain constantly suspicious of them."
Tibet's religion, culture, language and identity were "nearing extinction", he said, and Chinese development was devastating the Tibetan environment and way of life.Tibet's religion, culture, language and identity were "nearing extinction", he said, and Chinese development was devastating the Tibetan environment and way of life.
He repeated an accusation that China has killed "hundreds of thousands of his people".He repeated an accusation that China has killed "hundreds of thousands of his people".
"Many infrastructural developments... which seem to have brought progress to Tibetan areas were really done with the political objective of Sinicising Tibet," he added."Many infrastructural developments... which seem to have brought progress to Tibetan areas were really done with the political objective of Sinicising Tibet," he added.
China has always denied any mass killings of Tibetans.China has always denied any mass killings of Tibetans.
Referring to his "Middle Way approach" - offering to accept Chinese sovereignty in Tibet in return for genuine autonomy - the 73-year-old leader expressed disappointment that China had "not responded appropriately to our sincere efforts".Referring to his "Middle Way approach" - offering to accept Chinese sovereignty in Tibet in return for genuine autonomy - the 73-year-old leader expressed disappointment that China had "not responded appropriately to our sincere efforts".
But he said the two sides should "look to the future and work for our mutual benefit".But he said the two sides should "look to the future and work for our mutual benefit".
"Fulfilling the aspirations of the Tibetan people will enable China to achieve stability and unity," he added."Fulfilling the aspirations of the Tibetan people will enable China to achieve stability and unity," he added.
The latest round of stop-start talks with Beijing last November concluded with China condemning the Tibetans' proposals as a bid for "disguised independence".The latest round of stop-start talks with Beijing last November concluded with China condemning the Tibetans' proposals as a bid for "disguised independence".
Our correspondent says it is very difficult to see where progress can happen at the moment.Our correspondent says it is very difficult to see where progress can happen at the moment.
In a separate statement, the Tibetan government-in-exile pledged to continue to push the "Middle Way approach" but said the continuation of contact depended solely on China.In a separate statement, the Tibetan government-in-exile pledged to continue to push the "Middle Way approach" but said the continuation of contact depended solely on China.