By Richard A. McFarlane
Edmonton – Frank White (Unjustified Violence,letter, June 14) states: “Injustice is not a reason for acts of terrorist revenge; it’s an excuse.” As an example, he uses the fact that Tibetan Buddhists have not engaged in acts of violence against China. I agree that the behaviour of Tibetans is highly laudable and sets a high standard for moral behaviour.
In a truly moral world, the actions of the Tibetans would earn them not only the admiration of peoples and governments around the world but also vigorous support to press the Chinese to end their illegal occupation of Tibet.
Since the start of the illegal occupation in 1950, the Tibetans have been oppressed, the environment degraded and their country flooded with settlers from China. The response to the admirable behaviour of Tibetans from countries such as the United States and Canada has been 56 years of silence and inaction on the occupation but much sound, fury and action when it comes to increasing trade with China.
Canada will not even meet the Dalai Lama as leader of the Tibetan government in exile, a government that has not used or advocated the use of violence. Instead, the Dalai Lama is treated as a kindly, smiling tourist in colourful dress.
In a truly moral world, terrorism and revenge would be rare and Tibet would be a free country.
