3 posts tagged “state”

Being Chinese, I was always raised with the idea that Tibet is not an independent country, something backed up by a history book I remember at college that showed world maps going back many centuries. Certainly by the time the Mongols invaded, China, Tibet and Mongolia were governed as a single empire. However, I believe in the right of self-determination of all peoples, and if the Tibetans believe they should not be subject to the Communist Party, then so be it. That right is no less than the one held by East Timorese or any other group that has wanted to break from a larger nation.
   Many years ago, I understand that Chiang Kai-shek asked if HH the Dalai Lama would fight with him against the Communists and revolt, but that was declined. It remains a historical “could-have-been”.
   On the other side, I have heard from a Communist official who believes that the Dalai Lama is actually the largest landowner in Tibet and his control over the country means that he can impose his will on the peasants there. But remember that Beijing has spun whatever it has liked.
   Wikipedia, interestingly, features both the Tibetan and Red Chinese positions as well as a section on the lack of foreign recognition of Tibet. It also has a map from 1914 that is not unlike the ones I saw at college:

 
   While Wikipedia is not a definitive source, or, as I found while working on Autocade, an accurate source (there are preciously few error-free pages, but I am a lazy ass and want to run facts via Google first, then, grudgingly, get up and go to my reference books) the Tibetan sovereignty article does appear to have both sides recorded accurately.
   That last section reads:

No country publicly accepts Tibet as an independent state ^[32], in spite of several instances of government officials appealing to their superiors to do so ^[33]. Treaties signed by Britain and Russia in the early years of the twentieth century ^[34] and others signed by Nepal and India in the 1950s ^[35], recognized Tibet's political subordination to China. The Americans presented their view on 15 May 1943:

No sovereign states, including India, have extended recognition to the Tibetan Government-in-exile.^[37] This lack of legal recognition of independence has forced even some strong supporters of the refugees to admit that:

   Whatever the case, violence and murder against civilians and the denial of self-determination are what matter right now.
   There must be a better way. The PRC–ROC standoff will probably never be resolved, which is why there has never been an Armistice and why some countries stay on the fence. One writer suggested China be a Commonwealth. It could work, wth representation for Tibetan, Communist and Republican. A solution that has little connection with the past may be one released from politicking, working for the future.

I’m sorry to hear about Gov Eliot Spitzer of New York. I remember dealing with him when he was New York State Attorney-General and he was a good guy. He’d get on to emails, was quick to respond, and really wanted to serve the public.
   While I don’t agree with his seeking a prostitute—something that is legal here in New Zealand, incidentally—Gov Spitzer has done the right thing with his resignation, effective Monday. I do hope, however, he can repair the rift in his family that is no doubt there, and that he will still be able to contribute positively to a state which I believe he genuinely loves.

[Cross-posted] Bruce Robinson, the New Zealander in a 15 m² Polish jail cell, with seven other blokes, who is allegedly being ignored by the Foreign Minister-outside-Cabinet and other members of the diplomatic mission in Poland, now has a petition set up for his cause.
   As reported on this blog, both the Minister and now, the Prime Minister, have said they will not interfere in Poland’s sovereign processes.
   This is ironic, since both politicians are quite happy to interfere when the targets are easier.
   Contrary to the Dominion Post report today, the petition was set up by Bruce’s sister, Lyn. And yes, I do have the inside line on this case now, and have done for some time, with the Robinson family’s blessing.
   But at least the Fairfax press has not repeated a one-sided story from the Foreign Minister, who initially accused TV One of being unfair to him when Rawdon Christie first uncovered the story, and The New Zealand Herald willingly obliged with republication.
   I hate it how this guy always plays the victim, just to cover the fact he cannot do his job.
   But let’s not split hairs. It’s important word gets out and we sign this petition and get the government to act. We are paying taxes and I am wondering why the hell we need to, if we do not go to bat for our own.
   Even the Aussies have gone to bat for David Hicks, the alleged terrorist held at Gitmo. Both John Howard and Alexander Downer have seen Bush, Condi, Rumsfeld and Gates and Alberto Gonzales for this one guy. All Bruce is guilty of is patriotism and travelling on his New Zealand passport.
   Sign here, even if you are not in New Zealand.