[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 9, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E555]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CALLING ON THE GOVERNMENT OF CHINA TO END ITS CRACKDOWN IN TIBET

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 8, 2008

  Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, the United States and the People's Republic 
of China, PRC, are friends and partners in this international 
community. I truly believe that the governments of both nations 
endeavor to support the wellbeing of not only their people, but also of 
those around the world. Like individuals, governments learn from 
experience, and learn from the experiences of others. And like 
individuals, perhaps with more frequency and greater impact, 
governments make errors in judgment. In just our short history, the 
United States government and its people have made more than our fair 
share of mistakes. We have endured social strife at home with class and 
racial warfare, and our Federal, State and local governments have 
played their ugly part, from voting rights to segregation and violence. 
And throughout this century, our Nation knew that the world was 
watching. During World War II, all eyes were on America, waiting for 
its actions to meet its rhetoric of freedom. It was in this backdrop 
that our grassroots civil rights movement pushed our society towards 
our own American ideals. We have learned many lessons from our own 
history on how to create and maintain a peaceful society, prioritizing 
the protection and promotion of human rights--there are many lessons to 
share, and many yet to learn. it
  As the Olympic Summer Games near, the spotlight is now on our friend 
China and on its actions. China has made inroads as a new member of the 
global community, as their economy becomes increasingly integrated into 
the world economy. The groundwork for greater freedom is slowly 
developing, as it makes incremental gains to strengthen the rule of 
law. There comes a time, however, when greater scrutiny calls for 
greater action. As friends, I have always believed that constructive 
criticism should be encouraged. That is why today, I rise in support 
for H. Res. 1077. Friends do not always agree with each other's 
actions, but I know that the U.S. and China share some common values 
and concerns, including the wellbeing of our peoples and stability and 
peace in our Nations.
  The Chinese government is concerned over the instability and ethnic 
tensions that have erupted after the protests of March 10, 2008. The 
widespread arrests and detentions of Tibetans and harsh statements by 
the Chinese government against the Dalai Lama, however, have not helped 
the situation, but instead have fueled the fires of resentment. 
Certainly, rioters and those who have perpetrated violent crimes should 
be tried and punished. Their departure from the doctrine of nonviolence 
as supported by the Dalai Lama and other great civil rights leaders, 
such as Cesar Chavez, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi, has 
weakened their voice. To further social stability and sustained 
harmony, and to decrease resentment and anger among the Tibetan people, 
I believe that it is of utmost importance to differentiate between 
those peaceful protestors and those who have turned to violence--
violence reported by Chinese and international journalists.

  Despite these reports, the government nevertheless removed all 
international journalists from the Tibetan Autonomous Region. It is 
difficult to know exactly what had transpired in the Tibetan areas, as 
well as the current situation in the region, because of this 
unwarranted expulsion. In the end, there were conflicting reports on 
the nature of the protests in China and on the numbers of those injured 
and killed by not only China's security forces, but also by certain 
Tibetan protestors. It is essential that journalists and international 
monitors have unfettered access to Tibetan areas to shed light on the 
situation on the ground.
  Finally, to create a harmonious society, all members must feel a part 
of the process, thereby developing trust and confidence among all 
parties. When racial tensions have arisen in the United States, the 
best of us have acknowledged mistakes, embraced them, and worked toward 
solutions, together. In the same vain, I firmly believe that direct 
dialogue between the government of the People's Republic of China and 
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is necessary for any meaningful, short- and 
long-term solution to this dire situation. Previous rounds of dialogue 
between the PRC and representatives of the Dalai Lama have resulted in 
an apparent misunderstanding of the Dalai Lama's concept of Tibetan 
``autonomy.'' While there are some proponents for an independent Tibet 
within the Tibetan community, the Dalai Lama has repeatedly shared his 
support for an autonomous Tibetan region within the governance of China 
that ensures basic freedoms for the Tibetan people with protections for 
their culture, language, and religion. The Chinese government should 
take advantage of his moderate position and considerable influence on 
the Tibetan population, and engage in peaceful, direct talks with the 
Dalai Lama. In fact, China's Regional Ethnic Autonomy Law has already 
laid the foundation by guaranteeing the rights of ethnic minorities to 
administer their internal affairs. This foundation should not be 
discarded, but built upon with further assurances and implementations 
of these guarantees.
  It is in the spirit of friendship, mutual understanding, arid shared 
lessons that I rise to support H. Res. 1077. We know governments can 
make mistakes, and we can all work together to restore peace during 
times of social tension. The award of the Olympic bid to China is a 
global acknowledgement, a global celebration, of China's membership in 
the global community. As the Olympic torch is introduced in San 
Francisco for its only appearance in the United States, I hope that 
protestors and bystanders show their respect for the Olympic Summer 
Games and refrain from violence. As an advocate for human rights and a 
staunch supporter of our First Amendment rights, I admire the courage 
and conviction exhibited by peaceful protestors. Finally, I hope that 
China will use this opportunity of greater scrutiny to speak directly 
with the Dalai Lama to build the trust and confidence necessary to 
achieve the harmony it seeks.

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