Council will raise Tibetan flag
again
A mini version of the hostilities between China and Tibet could
erupt in Camden when the mayor raises the Tibetan flag over the town
hall on Monday (March 11). The standard will be raised over Judd Street
by Councillor Roger Robinson to "show sympathy" with the Tibetan National
Uprising, which occurred 43 years ago in 1959. This is the seventh
consecutive year the local authority has raised the flag and is one
of only four councils in the country to do so. When Camden raised
the colours last year, eyebrows were raised and the Chinese Embassy
slammed the move - but Camden is unrepentant of its support to Tibet,
which was invaded by China in 1950. Nine years later, thousands were
killed when Tibetans revolted against the Chinese in the National
Uprising, which forced the Dalai Lama to flee the country. Paula Hollings,
a representative for Tibet Vigil, which campaigns for Tibet, said,
"It's fantastic. I thought it was great last year that Camden were
not going to be intimidated by the Chinese Embassy and went ahead.
All credit to them - and for doing it again this year. "There are
not many councils that are prepared to do this. But Camden are more
open to this kind of thing. They are more prepared to stick their
necks out." But a spokesman for the Chinese Embassy said: "We want
to express our concern and firm opposition to Camden Council's plans
to raise the flag of Tibet's so-called independence. "Our position
is that Tibet has been part of China since the 13th century. Tibet
is part of China's internal affairs - no foreign country has a right
to interfere. We hope that as a local council of Britain it would
focus its business on local affairs." |
