Edinburgh Lord Provost admits regret as fears grow over pro-Tibet protests following Dalai Lama’s visit
By Stephen Naysmith, Social Affairs Correspondent
The decision to invite the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to take part in this August’s Tattoo just a month after the Dalai Lama’s trip to Scotland was a mistake, Edinburgh’s Lord Provost said yesterday, amid growing fears over policing.
Lesley Hinds is also chairwoman of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo which issued the invitation.
Hinds now says she argued against the move and regrets the decision. The PLA’s appearance has also outraged Scottish campaigners for Tibet, who view it as hypocritical for the nation to welcome the Dalai Lama, then immediately afterwards play host to his people’s oppressors. Tibet has been under Chinese occupation since 1950.
Demonstrations are also likely over the involvement of the Chinese army in the massacre of thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators at Tiananmen Square in Beijing 15 years ago.
Hinds said the decision to invite the PLA had been taken by the previous board. “The current board has discussed the invite and while many members, including myself, have expressed reservations we have decided that it must stand,” she said.
She also claimed the troupe invited to take part in the Tattoo were a ceremonial military band only and had never taken part in combat operations.
“I appreciate that there are different views about how to pursue relations with China. The UK government’s position is to encourage China in its international efforts,” she said.
The timing is particularly awkward given that the Dalai Lama, the Buddhist spiritual leader of Tibet, is in Scotland next month for a six-day visit taking in Glasgow, Dunfermline and Edinburgh, where he will address the Scottish parliament.
Protests have already been promised by the Free Tibet Campaign, which has launched a petition calling on the Tattoo’s producer, Brigadier Melville Jameson, to withdraw the invitation. A campaign spokeswoman said: “The PLA invaded Tibet in 1950 and has acted as an occupying force since. In the near 54 years since then tens of thousands of Tibetans have died as a result of the occupation.
“The Chinese PLA has troops still stationed in Tibet to act as a tool of repression and as a threat to local populations.”
Jameson confirmed that he has received some letters of complaint about the visit, but yesterday defended the decision and said that the gesture to China was symbolic and timely.
“The invitation was made three years ago and was backed by the board at that time – if there is to be someone taking flak for the decision it will be me because I firmly believe that the Chinese contribution will be a valuable and entertaining part of the programme. These are musicians with degrees, not guns, and I don’t think people should get concerned about a musical exchange.”
Jameson insisted that politics should not become entangled with the Tattoo, and pointed out that 90% of tickets for the event have already been sold.
“I’m not a political person – my job as producer is to bring the best of Scottish, British and Commonwealth bands to the Tattoo and increasingly that will include contributions from the rest of the world. I have to do that to keep the event at the cutting edge of entertainment.
“Russia’s Red Army performed at a time when Britain was opposed to Soviet politics. The Tattoo I think is an excellent opportunity to extend a hand of friendship to other countries and I firmly believe that this move will cause more good than harm.”
The Sunday Herald understands Lothian and Borders Police will attempt to pass the cost of policing any demonstrations on to the Tattoo. The force has long been trying to persuade the organ isers to take on some of the significant cost of policing the huge crowds which attend annually. A Lothian and Borders spokesman confirmed: “We are looking to recover some of the costs from the organisers.
“Events like this make money and bring people to the city but they are expensive for the force.
“The Tattoo is an event we police every year. People are entitled to protest and if that were to happen we would be able to manage that. If there are other concerns we will respond to them.”
Jameson confirmed he has discussed policing with Lothian and Borders, but would not comment on potential costs. He added: “The police have been excellent and I’m sure will work out whatever plans they have to.”
Green MSP Chris Ballance and Liberal Democrat MSP Mike Pringle have spoken out against the invitation extended to the Chinese PLA, but Ballance said the decision appeared to be final.
He said: “I accept now that this visit is happening. It is very unfortunate – the real concern is that we are celebrating the members of the army responsible for the Tiananmen Square massacre and the continued occupation of Tibet.
“I have asked the chief constable of Lothian and Borders to guarantee that people will be allowed to protest peacefully. Peaceful protesters have every right to point out the massacres and assassinations that have been carried out by the very army that these performers are a part of.
“I believe the cost of policing the Tattoo has been a sore point for the force for a number of years. If there is a need for an extra police presence because of demonstrations about the PLA, then the Tattoo should pay for that.”
“The Tattoo should not be something that is linked with politics. It is particularly insensitive to have this after the Dalai Lama has been doing his week-long visit to Scotland.”
Additional reporting by
Jenifer Johnston
