Chinese troops have surrounded Lhasa’s monasteries after monks dared to celebrate the anniversary of the 1959 uprising. The mainstream media reports clashes and sporadic gunfire in the streets of the Tibetan capital, and up to 80 monks killed, however details are few. Meanwhile, Regina resident Judith Silverthorne reports by email “all the streets are bare, shops closed, hotel gates locked, etc. and the army is everywhere.” ActUp has posted her emails from Thursday and Friday, and we hope to hear more when she arrives in Chengdu.

Thursday

I tried to send this message to several people, but it’s being blocked, so I’m trying one at a time.

As China bans all news pretty much from outside the country, I am not able to know what’s going on here in Tibet, except for when I bump into someone English speaking in an airport who might have heard something, or from an English tour guide, but even they don’t know much. I cannot get any English news TV in hotels (except for a Chinese filtered one), nor can I access any media on the Internet. So no CNN, CBC, BBC or other news. I can’t even access Wikipedia or my own blogsite.

At any rate, when I arrived a couple of days ago, I came across the article by accident on the Internet (not through a regular source) that mentioned the monk demonstration on March 10, but I wasn’t affected directly by it and saw no concrete evidence of it. However, as I was out touring today, I was told that we can’t get into any monasteries. In fact we tried to get into a temple here in Lhasa today, but couldn’t enter.

I’d really like to see some stories from Canada about what’s going on, or has gone on, or know if it’s even a big news item.

I’m not sure how long I can stay in Tibet, as my permit is in Chinese, but I’ll get it translated tomorrow. I didn’t realize I could only stay for a few days until I was told tonight by a woman from Boston, whom I met on my flight from Beijing, and who happened to be in the same restaurant as I was. She and her English speaking tour guide filled me in about what has been going on with what little they know. Her blackberry has been blocked and she can’t send any messages out of the country and she hasn’t heard anything from outside the country either.

They did say they thought about 18 monks have been jailed so far and that the demonstration took place at the biggest monastery in Tibet some distance from where I am staying.

Apparently as of today tourists are not being allowed into Tibet any more. There are police everywhere, though I took no notice of this, because in China they’re everywhere anyway. I guess, though that police are guarding all the monasteries and won’t let anyone get near them. Again, I have not been directly affected by this so far, except that I won’t be able to see any monasteries, which is one of the main reasons for coming to Tibet. I’m certainly in no danger, and will leave if there is any indication that this could be the case. Everything in Lhasa is going on as usual, it seems, otherwise.

There may become a point where the Chinese government sends all visitors in Tibet out, in which case I’ll just book a flight and leave, so I’m not in the least bit worried. I’d just like to know more from the ‘outside’ seeing as how I’m on the ‘inside.’ What a strange country this is!!

Friday
Well, things are really heating up here, and I’m wondering why I’m here at this time….at the moment, we’ve all been sent to our hotel rooms and told to stay there, but not why.

Ironically, I moved to a different hotel today from near the centre of Lhasa. It’s a good thing too, as later this afternoon they were evacuating everyone from the area. As of tonight we were told all the tourists must now leave Tibet. I was already booking a flight before we heard this. I booked on line, but don’t know if it’s confirmed until I get to the airport tomorrow morning. I’m heading to the closest place out of Tibet…Chengdu. We’re not sure if we can get to the airport yet, but I suspect if they want us out, they’ll make a safe passage for us.

I can’t give you any details at the moment, but boy, will I have some stories to tell once I’m safely out of China altogether!!!

Well, I suppose I should head for bed, though I’m a little keyed up, wondering what’s going outside my door….all the streets are bare, shops closed, hotel gates locked, etc. and the army is everywhere! - Judith

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