China labels Tibetan self-immolations a form of terrorism

2012. március 7. /ABC/ITN/TibetPress

http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2012/s3448140.htm

MARK COLVIN: In areas of China with a high Tibetan population a wave of self-immolations is continuing. Three people set themselves on fire this week, in protest at Chinese government rule.
The government is blocking foreign reporters from entering these regions. But today local Chinese government officials have spoken for the first time about this grim wave of suicides. They've acknowledged that Tibetans are calling out independence slogans before killing themselves but they've described this as a form of terrorism masterminded by the Dalai Lama and exile groups.

China correspondent Stephen McDonell reports from Beijing.

STEPHEN MCDONELL: The growing wave of self-immolations in China's Tibetan areas is mostly happening in western Sichuan Province. According to exile groups, some two dozen Tibetans have set themselves on five over the past six months.

Just this week alone, an 18-year-old man, a mother of four and a teenage girl have self-immolated.
Today for the first time, local government officials have spoken out about this. Wu Zigang is the mayor of Aba Town which has seen the largest number of deaths. He's in Beijing for the National People's Congress. He was speaking at a meeting of the Sichuan delegation.

"Since 2009 some monks and other people have set themselves on fire in Tibetan Sichuan, including around the monasteries of Aba area" he said. He went on: "These people have things in common. First they've shouted out separatist slogans such as 'free Tibet' before taking these actions."

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"All of them had criminal records or had bad public reputations" Wu Zigang said. "They were not recognised by society and felt desperate, so they chose suicide to leave the World."

He said that exile groups were to blame for encouraging this course of action and that the Dalai Lama in particular was at fault.

"The Dalai Lama is using their expectations of washing away shame and guilt. He sets up memorials for them, gives them the title of hero and prays for them. He tempts them to clean their criminal records and enjoy the next life."
Li Changping is a senior member of the government who's had responsibility for Tibetan areas.
When today's meeting finished he pushed his way through reporters on his way to the lifts.
(sound of jostling reporters)

The ABC asked him if there was a solution to the current situation in western Sichuan. He replied: "The solution is for religious groups to interpret religious discipline and doctrine in a way that's good for people's lives and for the normal development of Tibetan Buddhism. They should guide believers and monks to take greater care of life."
(female reporter)
Another reporter asked about foreign correspondents being denied access to Tibetan areas.
"Well they probably can all go to these regions," he said.
"But we can't go in," I say.
He replies, "that's only in certain areas, for everyone's safety."