Talk:Free Tibet Campaign

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Contents 1 Removing 'Disputed Neutrality' tag 2 'Damage by artillery' 3 Copyvio 4 Added Disputed Neutrality Tag Back

[edit] Removing 'Disputed Neutrality' tag

There has been no dispute in these talk pages do it is a bit odd for the article to sport a 'Disputed Neutrality' tag. The article includes the claims of both sides which is exactly what a good article should (which is perhaps why there has been no disputation). I'm removing the warning tag... technopilgrim 4 July 2005 22:52 (UTC)

[edit] 'Damage by artillery'

What is the timeframe and specific reference for the "damage by artillery" of temples mentioned in the article? Timeframe is important as it gives us context. Was this part of the original occupation in the 1950s? Was it part of the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), in which case Tibet was hardly being treated differently than the rest of China. Or are these recent artillery attacks? I'm removing the claim now, not because I doubt it is true but because it is incomplete, and deserves to be included if it has a complete form. technopilgrim 07:52, 15 Nov 2004 (UTC)

It was during the Cultural Revolution. But I don't think it should be included here anyway- it has nothing particular to do with this article. Mark¹ 08:03, 15 Nov 2004 (UTC)

[edit] Copyvio

I have listed this as copyvio from http://www.freetibet.org/aboutus/freetibet.html and made a temp. stub page. ---User:Hottentot

[edit] Added Disputed Neutrality Tag Back

I am concerned about the last sentence in the article, "(The PRC government asserts that Tibet is, and has been, a part of China, and that military actions taken in the 1950s and 1960s were for the sake of the Tibetan people themselves in order to liberate them from the feudalistic, slave-owning system of government administered by the Dalai Lama)."

I believe that the phrase "feudalistic, slave-owning system of government administered by the Dalai Lama" conveys a biased point of view, even if unintentionally. First, the sentence describing the purpose of the campaign, "It campaigns for an end to what Tibetans consider to be an occupation of their country by Chinese forces," seems very neutral. There are no adjectives or comments describing the occupation, which might even be appropriate given the nature of the campaign. Secondly, there is no reason to discuss the reasons that the PRC gives for occupation/liberation.

I suggest that IF a parenthetical explanation of the PRC position is needed, that read something like: (The PRC government asserts that Tibet is, and has been, a part of China, and that military actions taken in the 1950's and 1960's were for the sake of liberating the Tibetan people from the system of government administered by the Dalai Lama). --Dorje Shedrub 04:27, 31 December 2005 (UTC)

As unappealing as it may sound to those of us who cherish Tibetan culture, I think we have no choice but to provide the PRC arguments in unvarnished fashion. The reader needs to hear both sides if he is to understand the situation. The accusation of feudalism is not without basis and is an essential part of the PRC argument. And as harsh as it sounds, there is no question that the pre-invasion social structure included slavery, so I think this must also be kept.

Perhaps a solution is to reorder the article to give the PRC arguments first followed by a Free Tibet rebuttal to these arguments. This would favor the Free Tibet movement, which is non-nuetral on the face of it, but acceptable given this is the article on Free Tibet and the reader will not be surprised to find the Free Tibet arguments are given "home court" advantage. As an example, it is fair to claim that slavery was on the way out and likely would have ended on its own within the next decade or so. -- technopilgrim 21:45, 31 December 2005 (UTC)

I see your point; however, I would advocate for two things. First, to put the PRC argument not on this page (which is just about one organization and which could lead to some wanting the PRC argument on every page about a Tibetan Independence group), but rather, put it on the International Tibet Independence Movement page - there is already a section for the PRC side there [but there is also a disputed neutrality tag there too]. Secondly, I think it would be good to put the PRC's specific arguments and cite where they can be found (I did a brief search on a PRC embassy site, but didn't find anything in the time I was there - lots of info). I agree, rebuttal from both sides should be included for the sake of non-partiality. Would we be in consensus on this? --Dorje Shedrub 00:57, 1 January 2006 (UTC)