Dalai Lama: No One Can Tell Protestors to 'Shut Up'

Brian England 4/10/08 Global Politcal Relations
www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/04/10/japan.dalailama.ap/index.html

The Dalai Lama spoke out about the recent protests regarding the World Olympics being held in China. He has been living in India since 1959 when he was exiled by the chinese. He still has a hard time visiting Japan where buddhism is a main language, but Japanese government still does not directly deal with the Dalai Lama. He said 'We are not anti-chinese'. The Tibetans have supported the Olympic games, and he stresses that protests should not become violent. He also talked about how there is no freedom of speech in Tibet, and that China has restricted access to Tibet and some of Western China. Many things that happen to Tibet are not under their control, but under China's. Therefor protestors should have the right to speak their opinions without someone telling them to 'Shut up'. The Olympics have brought journalists, and Tibetans are protesting in efforts to gain support to bring back their leader. Other protests have been held around the world in cities such as Paris, London, and San Francisco along the route of the Olympic torch relay. Future routes may be shortened or cancelled to avoid violence.
This is a serious situation that must be addressed by the world. It is hard to say wether it should be resolved before or after the Olympics because either time would bring hostility from one group of the other. This could be very dangerous for spectators as well as athletes depending on the amplitude of actions. Tibetans have a lot to say that the world can not hear because of Chinese influence. The Dalai Lama is a religious man, but speaks for the people, and therefor should be allowed to be with his people. China is powerful, and that could be why no one country has been standing up for the Tibetans. If nothing is resolved, and if noone firmly stands with the Tibetans against China, the Olympics may be another devistating event.