티벳 수도 라사 시위 격화 (E)

티베트 수도 라싸에서 중국 정부에 반대하는 대규모 가두시위가 격렬해지고 있습니다.

목격자들은 중국 보안군이 라싸 시내의 상점과 차량에 방화하고 돌을 던지면서 격렬하게 시위를 벌이는 시위대를 해산하기 위해 발포했다고 전했습니다.

목격자들은 이 과정에서 최소 2명이 사망했다고 말했지만, 확인되지 않고 있습니다.

현재 라싸에 주재하고 있는 한 영국 기자는 시위대들이 중국계 주민 거주지역을 겨냥하고 있는 것으로 보인다고 밝히고, 라싸에서 중국인 상점들이 불타고 약탈당했다고 말했습니다.

불교 승려들의 주도로 시작된 이번 시위에 즉각 수백명의 주민들이 합세하면서 폭력화됐습니다.

중국은 망명중인 달라이 라마가 이번 시위를 부추겼다고 비난했습니다.

망명한 티베트의 정신적 지도자 달라이 라마와 세계 지도자들은, 중국이 티베트 승려들의 항의시위에 대한 무력진압을 자제할 것을 촉구했습니다.

달라이 라마는 14일 망명정부가 있는 인도 다람살라에서 발표한 성명에서, 중국 지도부에 대해 무력 사용을 중단하고, 대화를 통해 티베트 인들의 오랜 불만을 해결할 것을 촉구했습니다. 달라이 라마는 티베트 인들의 항의시위가 중국의 티베트 통치에 대한 뿌리깊은 불만을 표출한 것이라고 말했습니다.

미국과 영국, 유럽연합 국가들은 라싸에서 중국 보안군이 발포했다는 보도에 우려를 표시했습니다.

반기문 유엔 사무총장 대변인은 라싸 사태를 주시하고 있다고 밝히고, 사위에 가담한 사람들이 대결과 폭력을 피해 줄 것을 촉구했습니다. 미 국무부는 클라크 랜트 중국 주재 미국 대사가 14일 중국 관계자들을 만나 라싸 사태에 중국 정부가 자제할 것을 촉구했다고 밝혔습니다.

백악관은 중국 정부가 티베트 문화를 존중할 것을 촉구하고, 또한 중국이 달라이 라마와 대화활 것을 거듭 촉구했습니다.

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Protests in the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, have turned violent in the biggest demonstration against Chinese rule in two decades.

Witnesses say Chinese security forces opened fire today (Friday) to try to control stone-throwing protesters who set fire to shops and vehicles across the capital.

Witnesses say at least two people have been killed, but the deaths have not been verified.

A British journalist in Lhasa said many of the protesters appeared to be targeting ethnic Chinese communities. He said Chinese-owned shops were burned and looted.

Buddhist monks began the demonstration, but hundreds of people quickly joined the protest, turning it into an angry riot.

China blamed Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, for the protests.

The Dalai Lama and thousands of his followers fled to India from Tibet in 1959 during a failed revolt against Chinese rule.

Meanwhile, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, and leaders around the world are urging China to use restraint after protests in the Tibetan capital turned violent.

The Dalai Lama called on Chinese leaders today (Friday) to stop using force to control the unrest in Lhasa.

He said the demonstrations represent long-standing resentment of Chinese rule, and that Beijing should address the problem through dialogue.

The United States, Britain and other European states also expressed concern after reports of gunfire emerged from Lhasa today.

A spokesman for the U.N. Secretary-General said Ban Ki-moon is also following the situation in Lhasa and has urged everyone involved in the protests to avoid confrontation and violence.

The U.S. State Department said its ambassador in Beijing (Clark Randt) called for restraint during a meeting with Chinese officials today.

 

 

*Deaths reported in Tibet protests

Stones were thrown and buildings burnt in Lhasa Clashes between protesters and security forces in Tibet's main city of Lhasa have left at least two people dead, according to reports. An emergency official told AFP news agency that many people had been hurt and an unspecified number had died. The US-based Radio Free Asia quoted witnesses who said they had seen at least two bodies on Lhasa's streets. Rallies have continued all week in what are said to be the largest protests against Beijing's rule in 20 years. British journalist James Miles, in Lhasa, told the BBC that rioters had taken control of the city centre. "Some of them are still attacking Chinese properties - shops, restaurants, owned by ethnic Chinese," he said. One monk was kicked in the stomach right in front of us and then beaten on the ground Eyewitness: 'Kicked to floor' Analysis: Beijing's dilemma Nepal agrees Everest ban "Some of them are looting those shops, taking out the contents and throwing them on huge fires which they've lit in the street." Another eyewitness said there were tanks on the street and he had seen people being carried away on stretchers. Dalai Lama concerned Radio Free Asia, which is funded by the US government, quoted one Lhasa resident as saying: "[The rioters] ransacked Chinese shops and the police fired live ammunition into the crowd. No-one is allowed to move around in Lhasa now." TIBET DIVIDE China says Tibet always part of its territory Tibet enjoyed long periods of autonomy before 20th century 1950: China launched a military assault Opposition to Chinese rule led to bloody uprising in 1959 Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama fled to India In pictures: Tibet protests Quick guide: Tibet Media remains silent The rallies began earlier this week when a number of Buddhist monks were reportedly arrested after a march marking the 49th anniversary of a Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule. Hundreds of monks took to the streets to demand their release. The protests have gathered momentum over the past four days and campaign groups say ordinary people are now involved. The Dalai Lama, who heads Tibet's government-in-exile in India, released a statement expressing deep concern. He called on the Chinese leadership to "stop using force and address the long-simmering resentment of the Tibetan people through dialogue with the Tibetan people." He added: "I also urge my fellow Tibetans not to resort to violence." Chinese authorities have blamed "the recent sabotage in Lhasa" on the "Dalai clique". Unrest has spread to other areas of Tibet and neighbouring provinces. There are reports of hundreds of monks rallying in Gansu. The situation is causing concern among Western governments - with senior US and European officials urging both sides to show restraint. Call for dialogue The European Union issued a statement urging China to address the concerns of Tibetans. "We would like to see some kind of reconciliation between the Chinese authorities and the Tibetan representatives," said Dimitrij Rupel, foreign minister of Slovenia, which currently holds the EU's rotating presidency. PROTEST TIMELINE 10 March: Monks arrested while marking 49th anniversary of failed uprising 11 March: Police use tear gas to disperse monks staging peaceful rallies 13 March: Police seal off key Lhasa monasteries 14 March: Rioting in Lhasa British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Europe would be "seeking clarification" on the events in Lhasa. "There are two messages, one is the need for restraint, the other is that substantive dialogue is the only way forward," Mr Miliband said. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said France was not backing a boycott of the Beijing Olympic Games, but added: "France can draw attention to the link between the Olympic Games and this Tibetan aspiration, which China has to take into account." China says Tibet has always been part of its territory - though Tibet enjoyed long periods of autonomy before the 20th Century and many Tibetans remain loyal to the Dalai Lama, who fled in 1959.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7296837.stm

 

In pictures: Protests in Tibet

Clashes between protesters and security forces in Tibet's main city of Lhasa have left at least two people dead, according to reports.

 

Rallies have continued all week in what are said to be the largest protests against Beijing's rule in 20 years.

 

An eyewitness said there were tanks on the street and he had seen people being carried away on stretchers.

 

This photo was released by the International Campaign for Tibet and shows police in Jokhang Square in Lhasa.

 

Another photo released by the International Campaign for Tibet also shows the police presence.

 

Tibetan Buddhist monks leave a ceremony at the historic Labrang Monastery. Troops have surrounded the three biggest monasteries in Lhasa.