BRIAN FERGUSON
CITY COUNCIL REPORTER
TIBETAN activists are planning a series of high-profile protests during performances at this year’s Edinburgh Military Tattoo over the decision to invite a Chinese military band to perform.
Campaigners against the band’s appearance are planning to infiltrate audiences on the Castle Esplanade to mount demonstrations against the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.
Supporters of the campaign to free Tibet have dismissed pleas from Tattoo organisers not to disrupt the show and say they intend to make their “presence felt” unless there is a climbdown by the organisers of the event.
Brigadier Melville Jamieson, the producer of the Tattoo, has dismissed pleas to axe the involvement of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army amid claims they are a “symbol of brutality”.
PLA troops were responsible for killing pro-democracy protestors in Tiananmen Square in 1989 and they continue to occupy Tibet.
Their 50-strong band is due to perform revolutionary marching songs and will be accompanied by martial arts experts, acrobats and dancers from Beijing. Performers from India and South Africa are also due to appear. The Free Tibet Campaign was today due to officially unveil plans to keep up the pressure on the Tattoo until it cancels the invitation to the PLA.
Spokeswoman Anne Callaghan said: “The invitation to the PLA is grossly insensitive in the light of the outpouring of support for the Dalai Lama in Scotland over the last few days and given that this year is the 15th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre.
“We have asked the brigadier to withdraw the invitation, but he simply smiled and said that would not be happening.
“He actually asked us to promise not to disrupt the event and that he hoped we realise that it was a very high-profile event.
“We told him we would not give him that assurance and that unless he changed his mind then we would be making our presence felt at performances. There will be a lot of people in Edinburgh who will be upset at the PLA’s involvement.”
Although the Free Tibet Campaign refused to say what kind of protests were planned at the Tattoo, the Evening News understands that members have been buying up tickets with a view to staging high-impact stunts once the event is under way.
Further protests, including leafleting of audience members, are also planned in the Royal Mile, where thousands of ticket-holders will be queuing for performances.
Former political prisoner Palden Gyatso, who was arrested following the Tibetan national uprising in 1959 and spent much of the next 33 years behind bars, said: “The PLA is a symbol of the brutality I endured as a prisoner. Tens of thousands of PLA soldiers remain in Tibet today, an intimidating and powerful reminder that my country is not yet free.”
The decision to invite the PLA band to take part in this year’s Tattoo has been a source of controversy ever since their appearance was announced in February.
Lord Provost Lesley Hinds has spoken out against the decision to invite the musicians but pointed out that it was made by the Tattoo’s board before she joined it.
However, the Tattoo’s decision today received the backing of Edinburgh and Lothians Tourist Board.
Marketing chief Graham Birse said: “By introducing Chinese performers to Edinburgh’s world-famous Tattoo we’ll develop a profile for Edinburgh in China.”
Brig Jamieson said: “My view is that we’re extending the hand of friendship to the Chinese people with this invitation, which has the full backing of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.”
