Protesting the Olympics

Yesterday four protesters -- two Britons and two Americans -- climbed a 120 feet high lamppost in Beijing and unfurled banners that said "One World, One Dream, Free Tibet" and "Tibet will be free." The four quickly were arrested and deported.

The BBC reports the cloak-and-dagger operation of other activists, who are secretly showing people in Beijing a "free Tibet" video. This group seems to be so far underground I'm not sure what effect they will have.

A more visible statement about human rights and China will be made by the U.S. Olympic Team, which has chosen a Sudanese refugee to carry the American flag in the opening ceremony. According to human rights groups, as part of a deal to purchase oil from Sudan, China is propping up a brutal regime responsible for mass slaughter in Sudan’s western region, Darfur. The flag-bearer is Lopez Lomong, who will compete in the 1,500-meter race.

In today's New York Times, columnist Nicholas Kristof writes about his private meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Kristof says,

For the first time, the Dalai Lama is willing to state that he can accept the socialist system in Tibet under Communist Party rule. This is something that Beijing has always demanded, and, after long discussion, the Dalai Lama has agreed to do so.

Is this really the first time the Dalai Lama has offered that concession? I thought he had agreed to this awhile back. Perhaps I am mistaken.

Kristof argues for direct talks between His Holiness and either President Hu Jintao or Prime Minister Wen Jiabao. A deal satisfactory to both sides is reachable, Kristof says. Don't hold your breath, I say.

Update: Here's a long article from the Washington Post with more details on Olympic protests.