Canada Minister Calls for Restraint after Tibetan Protesters Fired upon

[KhmerSpirits]

By Matthew Little
Epoch Times Staff
Apr 06, 2008

Maxime Bernier, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, released a statement on Saturday calling on the Chinese authorities to exercise restraint in Tibet after reports that Chinese soldiers fired on hundreds of protesters.

"Canada expresses grave concern with reports of security forces firing on, and allegedly killing, eight civilians in the Tibetan region of Garze in western China," read the statement.

"Canada strongly urges the Government of China to show restraint and allow for peaceful protest. Canada also reiterates its call for dialogue between the Government of China and the Dalai Lama or his designated representatives."

Reports coming out of Tibet allege paramilitary troops of the People's Armed Police and Public Security Bureau fired on hundreds of protesters in Tongkor monastery in Ganzi (Garze) Prefecture in Sichuan Province Thursday night.

Eight monks are reported to have been killed. Reports say the protesters were angered when a government inspection team attempted to confiscate pictures of the Dalai Lama.