Chinese say Tibetans planning suicide attacks

CHINA: CHINA ACCUSED the Dalai Lama and his supporters yesterday of plotting suicide attacks in the wake of last month's violent protests in Lhasa.

Wu Heping, a spokesman for the public security ministry, said police had searched monasteries and uncovered 176 guns, 13,013 bullets, 3,511kg of explosives, 19,000 sticks of dynamite and 350 knives. "To our knowledge, the next plan of the Tibetan independence forces is to organise suicide squads to launch violent attacks," Mr Wu told a news conference.

The Tibetan government in exile denied the accusation, saying it remained dedicated to non-violent struggle.

"Again, the Chinese are trying to portray that we Tibetans are instigating violence and now they are talking about suicide squads, and we strongly deny these allegations," said Tenzin Taklha, a senior aide of the Dalai Lama.

He said Beijing should focus on why Tibetans feel resentful about Chinese rule, and engage in dialogue with the Dalai Lama.

No evidence has been forthcoming for any of the charges and the ministry has not provided the names of the suspects.

However, Mr Wu said China has arrested "key members" of an underground network in Lhasa .- (Guardian service)

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times