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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| China allows diplomats into Tibet | China allows diplomats into Tibet |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| China is taking a handful of foreign diplomats to Tibet, following widespread criticism of Beijing's crackdown on Tibetan protests. | China is taking a handful of foreign diplomats to Tibet, following widespread criticism of Beijing's crackdown on Tibetan protests. |
| The UK, France and the US are among the countries invited on a two-day trip to the Tibetan capital Lhasa - the first since anti-China riots broke out there. | The UK, France and the US are among the countries invited on a two-day trip to the Tibetan capital Lhasa - the first since anti-China riots broke out there. |
| The US welcomed the move, but said diplomats and observers should be allowed to see areas surrounding Lhasa. | The US welcomed the move, but said diplomats and observers should be allowed to see areas surrounding Lhasa. |
| The visit follows a short trip to the city by a group of foreign journalists. | The visit follows a short trip to the city by a group of foreign journalists. |
| Meanwhile, European Union foreign ministers are gathering in Slovenia to debate a possible boycott of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing. | Meanwhile, European Union foreign ministers are gathering in Slovenia to debate a possible boycott of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing. |
| European leaders have been among the most vocal in criticising China's reaction to the protests in Tibetan communities. | European leaders have been among the most vocal in criticising China's reaction to the protests in Tibetan communities. |
| Tibet's government-in-exile, based in India, says about 140 people were killed in a crackdown by Chinese security forces. Beijing disputes this, saying 19 people were killed by rioters. | Tibet's government-in-exile, based in India, says about 140 people were killed in a crackdown by Chinese security forces. Beijing disputes this, saying 19 people were killed by rioters. |
| Tightly controlled | Tightly controlled |
| A group of 17 diplomats from countries including Japan and Australia have left for Tibet from Beijing and are expected to return to the Chinese capital on Saturday. | |
| US state department spokesman Sean McCormack said the trip was a "step in the right direction". | US state department spokesman Sean McCormack said the trip was a "step in the right direction". |
| "But it's not a substitute for the ability of our diplomats, as well as others, to travel not only to Lhasa, but into the surrounding area specifically," he said. | "But it's not a substitute for the ability of our diplomats, as well as others, to travel not only to Lhasa, but into the surrounding area specifically," he said. |
| It follows a short visit by a group of more than 20 journalists from Chinese and international media. | It follows a short visit by a group of more than 20 journalists from Chinese and international media. |
| A 30-strong group of monks in Lhasa staged a noisy protest as the reporters were shown around one of Tibet's holiest sites, the Jokhang Temple, on Thursday. | A 30-strong group of monks in Lhasa staged a noisy protest as the reporters were shown around one of Tibet's holiest sites, the Jokhang Temple, on Thursday. |
| The monks shouted "Tibet is not free, Tibet is not free" and accused Beijing officials of lying about the protests. | The monks shouted "Tibet is not free, Tibet is not free" and accused Beijing officials of lying about the protests. |
| Associated Press reporter Charles Hutzler said the outburst was the only spontaneous moment in an otherwise tightly controlled trip. | Associated Press reporter Charles Hutzler said the outburst was the only spontaneous moment in an otherwise tightly controlled trip. |
| Media curbs | |
| A Tibetan exile group expressed fears for the "welfare and whereabouts" of the monks involved in the outburst, but Chinese officials insisted no action would be taken. | A Tibetan exile group expressed fears for the "welfare and whereabouts" of the monks involved in the outburst, but Chinese officials insisted no action would be taken. |
| "We will never do anything to them," the Chinese-installed vice governor of Tibet, Baima Chilin, told reporters on the trip. | "We will never do anything to them," the Chinese-installed vice governor of Tibet, Baima Chilin, told reporters on the trip. |
| "We will never detain anyone you met on the streets of Lhasa. I don't think any government would do such a thing." | "We will never detain anyone you met on the streets of Lhasa. I don't think any government would do such a thing." |
| The reporters described Lhasa as a divided city - with Chinese areas resuming normal business, but the old city, mainly populated by Tibetans, still under a heavy police presence. | The reporters described Lhasa as a divided city - with Chinese areas resuming normal business, but the old city, mainly populated by Tibetans, still under a heavy police presence. |
| The BBC's request to take part in the media trip was turned down. Western media organisations are still prevented from reporting freely in the area. | The BBC's request to take part in the media trip was turned down. Western media organisations are still prevented from reporting freely in the area. |
| Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has once again appealed for China's leaders to engage in "meaningful dialogue" over the issue. | |
| China's ambassador to the UK, Fu Ying, told the BBC earlier that "the door had never been closed" to talks with the Dalai Lama. | |
| "The dialogue started in the 1970s and he was invited to come back to China in the 80s, and since then the dialogue has been going on," she said. | |
| However, officials have frequently blamed the Dalai Lama for the protests and Chinese state media prints denouncements of him almost daily. | |
| In the past Beijing has said it would talk to the Dalai Lama if he rescinded his claim for Tibetan independence, though he says he is not campaigning for independence. | |
| Are you in Tibet? What is the situation like where you are? | Are you in Tibet? What is the situation like where you are? |
| You can send pictures and video to: | You can send pictures and video to: |
| yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. Click here to see terms and conditions | yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. Click here to see terms and conditions |
| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |