On Wednesday, after first dutifully reminding everyone that “The United States recognizes Tibet as part of the People’s Republic of China,” Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte talked semi-tough about China’s thuggish and ongoing crackdown in Tibet in front of the U.S. Senate Foreign Affairs Committee:
The Tibetans have legitimate grievances, stemming from years of repression and Chinese policies that have adversely impacted Tibetan religion, culture and livelihoods. In the months preceding the protests, restrictions on religious freedom were further tightened, leading to increased frustration among the local Tibetan population. In order to be a great and respected power, China will have to make real efforts to guarantee to its own citizens the internationally recognized rights and fundamental freedoms enshrined in China’s own constitution and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Good stuff so far. Especially considering that the same John Negroponte last year called Taiwan’s planned referendum on United Nations membership a “provocative policy,” thus actually propping up Beijing’s threats of violence against democratic Taiwan.
After the semi-tough talk, Negroponte seemed to slip back into China-appeasement mode:
The Chinese government should seize the opportunity to talk to those Tibetans, represented by the Dalai Lama, who oppose violence and do not seek independence for Tibet. If Beijing does not engage with the Dalai Lama now, it will only serve to strengthen those who advocate extreme views.
If I’m reading this right, a senior U.S. goverment official just referred to those seeking independence from a military occupation by a thuggish Communist regime as advocating “extreme views.” Wow.
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