TIBET UNREST

Unconfirmed sources claim that at least 100 people have been killed in Tibet where the situation continues to spiral out of control after the Chinese crackdown on Tibetan protestors on the 49th anniversary of their uprising against Chinese rule.

What Beijing does next is being watched closely by the international community particularly since the Olympics are around the corner.

Lhasa's still burning despite the curfew imposed by the Chinese government after Friday's crackdown by the Chinese police on Tibetans demanding that the Beijing Olympic Games be cancelled.

The protests were also timed to mark the 49th anniversary of their uprising against Chinese rule.

The Tibetan government in exile claims at least 100 people could have died so far but the figure is impossible to verify.

China's violent reaction to what began as peaceful protests has evoked global condemnation.

''We have urged also that the Chinese government respect Tibetan culture, as well as the multiethnic nature of China. It is very important in our view, and President Bush has expressed this view, that Chinese government open a dialogue with the Dalai Lama, and we continue to urge that. Nobody benefits from violence. Nobody wants to see it. But it is very important that, in responding to these protests, that the Chinese government turn away from the use of force or violence in responding to the protests,'' said Sean McCormack, State Department Secretary.


The Chinese government does not want to appear weak by not reacting to the protests. Beijing has now given the Tibetan protesters till Monday to surrender.

''Fighting, looting, burning - these actions destroy the stability of society. These events can be described as an organised and planned plot. We are very determined to denounce this separatist activity, and the plot will not be successful,'' said Champa Phuntsok, Chairman, Tibetan Government.

Now China is worried that its plan to carry the Olympic torch over Mt Everest and into Tibet may be affected by the protests. This may draw the world's attention to Tibet and away from the Olympic games.

But after the crackdown, the worst in the last two decades, avoiding bad press may be difficult.