Tibet should 'pull a Kosovo' in order to gain independence
Zomgoose said 03/26, 10:06 AM
And what I mean by that is, Tibet should declare independence, offer all ethnic Chinese passage out of the country, then actively attempt to solicit aid from the UN to avoid invasion. They have a decent chance at it because many Western countries are not huge fans of China right now since China chose the caveman approach to ending violence and riots in Tibet. The least they could have done is opened talks with the relevant people in Tibet-I'm sure there is at least one individual that is respected and influential enough by the Tibetan people that they could treat with the Chinese.
I'll confess that I don't know much about the economy of Tibet, but I'm sure that they could stay afloat if given the chance to become independent. This would also serve Western interests in Asia, because should this maneuver succeed, Tibet will have the West to thank for its existence and right of self-determination.
Tickers said 03/26, 10:38 AM
Tibet is not like Kosovo at all, and a declaration of independance would be a disaster.
The primary problem, however, is that even the exiled Tibet government under the Dalai Lama do not reject the Chinese claim to Tibet and want autonomy, rather than independance.
While China (and its human rights record) is not viewed favorably by the West the amount of influence that we have over that region of the world is very small. Consider for example the protests in Burma, which continued in spite of the Wests' protestations. If Tibet were to seek independance then the Chinese authorities would come down very hard on the region (and with America tied up in Iraq there is not even the 'threat' of force against them doing so).
Kososvo is a very different situation - Serbia is quite weak as a world player and is reliant on trade from the West. Therefore the threat of sanctions would be disastrous on their economy. The presence of the UN force in Kososvo means that the Serbian government cannot take action against Kosovo and must come to the table to talk, as they have no other recourse.
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I agree with Tickers. China would crush any discontent with swift force. It would be ugly.
ShawnF | 03/27/08
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Goose, I take my hat off to you and your stance for freedom.....but...... Tickers nailed it. The Tibetans would go the way of the Hittites if they declared independance.
Ron | 03/27/08
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goose i love the audacity of the idea but in a realpolitik sense. the kosovars got independance because slick willy was trying to make america forget about perjury and monica. china is too powerful for a sidescene like that.
MorgMcA | 03/27/08
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