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China, Tibet and the Beijing OlympicsApril 17, 2008 Wrap, suggested lead: As the Summer Olympics in Beijing draw nearer, protests of China's human rights record in Tibet and elsewhere are intensifying. As Mark Schwerin reports, the situation is awkward for both China and the United States. (1:04/Schwerin/STD) China and the United States have become huge trading partners, but when it comes to human rights, the two nations stand far apart. The Chinese crackdown on protests in Tibet creates problems for both countries, says Thomas Kostrzewa (kuh-STREV-uh), a WMU adjunct professor of political science and Tibet expert. (:34/Kostrzewa........................White House.) Kostrzewa says China realizes it has a major public relations problem given its new status as an emerging superpower. From Western Michigan University, I'm Mark Schwerin. Actualities: CUT ONE: Kostrzewa says issues underlying unrest in Tibet date back 60 years. (:38/Kostrzewa.......................by Beijing.) CUT TWO: Kostrzewa says, in addition to religious suppression, economic and cultural issues underlie Tibetan unrest. (:39/Kostrzewa......................their own land.) CUT THREE: Kostrzewa says, despite the situation in Tibet, China has made much progress in recent years toward becoming a more open society. (:37/Kostrzewa...................those changes.) For additional comments or an interview with Kostrzewa,
call (269) 598-5698. WMU Radio News Service Media contact: Mark Schwerin, 269 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu |