A blog by Luke Akehurst about politics, elections, and the Labour Party - With subtitles for the Hard of Left. Just for the record: all the views expressed here are entirely personal and do not necessarily represent the positions of any organisations I am a member of.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Tibet stabbed in the back

Pretty much unnoticed, allegedly as part of the negotiations around Chinese support for the economic package at the recent G20, David Miliband issued a written ministerial statement at the end of October recognising Chinese sovereignty over Tibet and backing down on the UK's traditional support for an independent Tibet.

I really think this is a dreadful betrayal.

The statement talks about "the anachronism of our formal position on whether Tibet is part of China". I see nothing anachronistic about supporting the independence of a country that was invaded, annexed and colonised.

It concludes: "We have made clear to the Chinese Government, and publicly, that we do not support Tibetan independence. Like every other EU member state, and the United States, we regard Tibet as part of the People’s Republic of China."

It's for the Tibetan people or the Dalai Lama to negotiate away the sovereignty of Tibet in return for autonomy and greater human rights within China, not for the UK to undermine their position with a sordid deal linking unrelated questions - Tibetan freedom and the global financial crisis.

Free Tibet has expressed its outrage that British Foreign Minister David Miliband has changed the UK's position on Tibet, stating that it is part of China. Free Tibet believes that the change in position is a major factor in China's walking away from the Sino-Tibetan talks, which have now collapsed.

I am really ashamed of this announcement. The Tibetan people deserved more steadfast support from the UK.

6 Comments:

Blogger Mark Still News said...

We need to be careful about getting involved in other area's of the World. what we may think is correct could be totally out of order, the World is a complex place and not black and white!

11:47 am, November 18, 2008

 
Blogger Hughes Views said...

"supporting the independence of a country that was invaded, annexed and colonised" - so you'll be lobbying for us to give back Ulster, Wales and Carlisle then?

1:24 pm, November 18, 2008

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The comparison with Wales and Carlisle is offensive. Wake up to what is happening in Tibet.

Whatever past injustices happened as a result of British Imperialism (The British actually made violent incursions into Tibet during the time of the east india Company)does not excuse what is happening right now.

3:23 pm, November 18, 2008

 
Blogger Unknown said...

Luke, I agree with you - but who do you think is going to lend us the money for our 'fiscal stimulus'? It's not the USA, it's not grannies buying income bonds, and it's certainly not the Dalai Lama.

Piper. Tune. Pays. Calls.

1:37 pm, November 19, 2008

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mark...
That is such a lazy excuse. I suppose we shouldn't help the starving in Africa because the problem is just too complex to handle? Stop being a fucking idiot and do some research instead of saying, "oh I'll just never understand." Make a fucking attempt you lazy asshole.

12:05 am, November 20, 2008

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This will keep the Commies happy at the Morning Star.

11:19 am, November 20, 2008

 

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