India still weighs Chinese demand for Nobel boycott

SHASH2K2

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With just a week to go before the Nobel Peace Prize for 2010 is formally conferred, in absentia, on Liu Xiaobo, a prominent Chinese dissident, at Oslo City Hall on December 10, India is yet to take a call on a Chinese demarche asking countries around the world to boycott the ceremony.

A number of senior officials told The Hindu that their own view was that India should attend the ceremony this year, just as it has been doing in the past. But a careful review of the issue is, nevertheless, being conducted at the highest levels of the government before a decision is taken. One complicating factor is the planned arrival in New Delhi of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao a few days after the Oslo function.

Liu Xiaobo was given the prize ""for his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China." Last month, the Chinese government asked India and others not to send representatives to witness the investiture, warning that attending the ceremony would have repercussions on the bilateral relationship, and possibly impact Mr. Wen's visit. The Chinese view is that Mr. Liu, who is serving an 11-year sentence for "subverting state power," is a "criminal."

Chinese Foreign Ministry officials recently told Indian Ambassador to China S. Jaishankar that China wanted India to boycott the ceremony. Chinese officials have met with diplomats from almost every country in recent weeks, conveying the same message. Among those who have said they will stay away are Russia and Pakistan.

The Foreign Ministry told The Hindu in a statement that China was opposed to any country "making anything out of the issue," indicating that participating in the ceremony would be tantamount to intervening in China's judicial sovereignty. "We have a clear stance on the issue of Liu Xiaobo and the Nobel Peace Prize," the statement said. "We oppose anyone, in any means, to intervene in China's internal affairs and to hurt China's judicial sovereignty."

The statement added that China "would like to cooperate with India to promote a sound and stable bilateral relationship."

The Foreign Ministry did not directly respond to questions on how the bilateral relationship would possibly be affected if India sent a representative to the ceremony. But diplomats from several countries have told The Hindu that they had been warned by Beijing that attending the ceremony would "damage" ties. In some instances, diplomats were also told that Chinese companies would be instructed to either cut or reduce trade links.

Talks with Norway suspended

China has suspended negotiations over a free trade accord with Norway over the issue. "It is difficult to maintain friendly relations with Norway as in the past," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said on Thursday.

There is still uncertainty over whether the ceremony will take place. Mr. Liu is in jail, while his wife, Liu Xia, has been barred from attending the ceremony and is under effective house arrest in Beijing. Other political activists who Ms. Liu has nominated to attend the ceremony have also been barred from travelling to Oslo.

One option the Norwegians are reportedly considering is awarding the prize to two empty chairs, symbolising the incarcerated Liu and his absent wife.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/article928681.ece
 

Ray

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India should inform the Chinese that they will attend not because Liu is getting the prize (which he is not getting in any case since he or his relatives are bot being allowed to receive it as is mandatory), but because India, while desiring close relations with China, could not offend Sweden, a country which has long historical ties and all that usual humbug!
 

tarunraju

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When they don't like giving proper visas to Indians from Kashmir, why the heck should we even care? Instead we should throw the ball in their court. Will Wen Jiabao call off his India trip over such a petty thing as India attending the Oslo ceremony like it always does? If he does, he will be the one who will end up looking cheap, not us.
 
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p2prada

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India should inform the Chinese that they will attend not because Liu is getting the prize (which he is not getting in any case since he or his relatives are bot being allowed to receive it as is mandatory), but because India, while desiring close relations with China, could not offend Sweden, a country which has long historical ties and all that usual humbug!
I guess Norway is associated with the Nobel Peace Prize.
 

The Messiah

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Instead we should give him gold medal from our side aswell.
 

Tshering22

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I think we should consider taking this as a chip to simply bargain with the Chinese government. Their agreement for issuing stamped visas to Kashmiris as much as to rest of the Indians in exchange for refusal to go to the Nobel Prize. Why? Because this fits in perfects with the Norwegian minister's remark about how Kashmir is a problem created by us and not by Pakistan. So this should be a perfect slap to Norway at the same time we get what we seek from China.

If Chinese refuse, state no reason but simply go and attend the ceremony with pomp and show. If Wen wishes to call off the trip, his loss.
 

The Messiah

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I think we should consider taking this as a chip to simply bargain with the Chinese government. Their agreement for issuing stamped visas to Kashmiris as much as to rest of the Indians in exchange for refusal to go to the Nobel Prize. Why? Because this fits in perfects with the Norwegian minister's remark about how Kashmir is a problem created by us and not by Pakistan. So this should be a perfect slap to Norway at the same time we get what we seek from China.

If Chinese refuse, state no reason but simply go and attend the ceremony with pomp and show. If Wen wishes to call off the trip, his loss.
Word of china has no value...there is no guarantee they wont go back to there old tricks again.
 

Tshering22

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Word of china has no value...there is no guarantee they wont go back to there old tricks again.
Then we simply take a written commitment from CCP with Wen's or Hu's signature on it in exchange for what it requests. It might sound childish but it is still 100 times better than MMS cowering to CCP's pressure and asking nothing in exchange.
 

SHASH2K2

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China ups pressure on India to miss Nobel Peace Prize ceremony


BEIJING: The Chinese foreign ministry indicated on Tuesday it expected 100 countries including India to be absent at the December 10 ceremony in Oslo for presenting the Nobel Peace Prize to Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo. China is trying to put greater pressure on India just ahead of the visit by Chinese premier Wen Jiabao by suggesting that joining the ceremony would harm bilateral relations.

New Delhi's decision on the issue will have a major impact on the process of negotiations during the visit of Chinese premier Wen Jiabao to India in mid-December. An important question is whether Indian foreign ministry can use it as a bargaining chip in the behind the scenes negotiations prior to the visit.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu described officials in the Nobel committee as a set of "clowns" engaged in conducting a "anti-China farce" by rewarding a person, who has been declared a criminal by her country's judicial authorities.

"The erroneous decision has not only met firm opposition from the entire Chinese people but also is not accepted by the vast majority of countries who uphold justice," Jiang told a media briefing here on Tuesday.

India has not publicly said whether it will attend the ceremony. But the Nobel committee has said that India is among the 42 countries that have confirmed their attendance while 19 others have clearly stated they will keep away.

It is clear China is exerting greater pressure on India to absent at the ceremony than it is doing in the case of many other countries because having the world's largest democracy on its side has a lot of advantages. But it is not easy for India to be seen as opposing someone who has been given the Nobel prize for upholding the freedom of expression.

During the briefing, Jiang said China and India are committed to further develop their relationship while continuing with consultation to sort out "issues left over from history". The Chinese premier who is scheduled to visit both India and Pakistan in mid-December, will discuss various issues including steps to take forward the boundary talks in New Delhi.


Read more: China ups pressure on India to miss Nobel Peace Prize ceremony - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...eremony/articleshow/7060823.cms#ixzz17Rig0tLF
 

Yusuf

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No way can india bow to the chinese pressure. This is the time to not chicken out if india has to show it stands for freedom. And also show the chinese we will stand up to you. I would be really disappointed if the govt caves in to the chinese.
 

SHASH2K2

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I donot understand why the hell we even allows those stupid people to communicate with us on such issues. When they openly support Terrorist state of pakistan then we should also openly ask them to go to hell .
 

LurkerBaba

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Well if they stop their stapled visa and Arunchal Pradesh BS then we'll support them
 

sayareakd

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are we talking about same china who voted/veto against JoD in UNSC, we all now what to do with such Demand, even if it was request i think it is going to meet same treatment.
 

SHASH2K2

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Eighteen countries besides China have declined invitations to Friday's Nobel peace prize ceremony, the event's organisers said today, but they dismissed Beijing's claim that the international community did not support the award.

China had urged diplomats in Oslo to stay away from the event honouring jailed Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo , warning of "consequences" if they did not do so.

Several of the countries that have turned down invitations - such as Pakistan - are long-term allies of China. Others are major trade partners such as Iran and Sudan. Also on the list are Russia, Kazakhstan, Colombia, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Iraq, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Venezuela, the Philippines, Egypt, Ukraine, Cuba and Morocco.

Another 44 countries will attend, while Algeria and Sri Lanka have not replied to their invitations.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a news briefing: "As far as I know, at present, more than 100 countries and organisations have expressed explicit support for China opposing the Nobel peace prize, which fully shows that the international community does not accept the decision of the Nobel committee."

She declined to list those that would not attend but added: "After the ceremony, you can see that the vast majority of the international community will not attend the ceremony."

Geir Lundestad, executive secretary of the Nobel committee, told Reuters that was "a very curious way of stating things" because only the 65 countries with embassies in Norway were invited. But he acknowledged: "One of the reasons [for states not attending] is undoubtedly China."

In one case, an embassy is believed to have decided the ambassador should attend after receiving Beijing's warning, having previously planned to send another diplomat on his behalf.

"China has been arm-twisting behind the scenes to stop governments from attending the Nobel prize ceremony, using a combination of political pressure and economic blackmail," said Sam Zarifi, Amnesty International's director for the Asia-Pacific. "The fact that, despite the pressure and threats, the Chinese could only cajole a small minority of countries reflects the unacceptable nature of their demands."

According to the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten, all invited countries sent representatives last year, when Barack Obama won. The previous year, around 10 countries did not attend the ceremony for Martti Ahtisaari, the former president of Finland.

In a renewed attack on the decision to honour Liu, the Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman described supporters of the move as clowns perpetrating a farce. Jiang added that Liu's supporters were fundamentally opposed to China's development and wanted to interfere in the country's politics and legal system. She said: "We will not be pressured by clowns."

Beijing was furious at the decision to recognise Liu, who is serving an 11-year sentence for incitement to subvert state power through his co-authorship of Charter 08, a call for democratic reforms.

The authorities have placed his wife, Liu Xia, and other supporters under house arrest and have barred other activists and dissidents from leaving the country, apparently for fear they will attend the event.

The event would normally be marked by the handover of the Nobel gold medal, a diploma and prize money worth 10m kronor (£1.04m), but organisers said that would not happen this year because only close family can collect those on a winner's behalf. China is unlikely to let Liu's relatives attend.

The organisers said they would still hold the traditional torch parade from Oslo City Hall to the Grand hotel. Normally the winner appears on the balcony of the hotel to greet the public, but this year a picture of Liu will be projected on to the building.
 

SHASH2K2

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Eighteen countries besides China have declined invitations to Friday's Nobel peace prize ceremony, the event's organisers said today, but they dismissed Beijing's claim that the international community did not support the award.

China had urged diplomats in Oslo to stay away from the event honouring jailed Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo , warning of "consequences" if they did not do so.

Several of the countries that have turned down invitations - such as Pakistan - are long-term allies of China. Others are major trade partners such as Iran and Sudan. Also on the list are Russia, Kazakhstan, Colombia, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Iraq, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Venezuela, the Philippines, Egypt, Ukraine, Cuba and Morocco.

Another 44 countries will attend, while Algeria and Sri Lanka have not replied to their invitations.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a news briefing: "As far as I know, at present, more than 100 countries and organisations have expressed explicit support for China opposing the Nobel peace prize, which fully shows that the international community does not accept the decision of the Nobel committee."

She declined to list those that would not attend but added: "After the ceremony, you can see that the vast majority of the international community will not attend the ceremony."

Geir Lundestad, executive secretary of the Nobel committee, told Reuters that was "a very curious way of stating things" because only the 65 countries with embassies in Norway were invited. But he acknowledged: "One of the reasons [for states not attending] is undoubtedly China."

In one case, an embassy is believed to have decided the ambassador should attend after receiving Beijing's warning, having previously planned to send another diplomat on his behalf.

"China has been arm-twisting behind the scenes to stop governments from attending the Nobel prize ceremony, using a combination of political pressure and economic blackmail," said Sam Zarifi, Amnesty International's director for the Asia-Pacific. "The fact that, despite the pressure and threats, the Chinese could only cajole a small minority of countries reflects the unacceptable nature of their demands."

According to the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten, all invited countries sent representatives last year, when Barack Obama won. The previous year, around 10 countries did not attend the ceremony for Martti Ahtisaari, the former president of Finland.

In a renewed attack on the decision to honour Liu, the Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman described supporters of the move as clowns perpetrating a farce. Jiang added that Liu's supporters were fundamentally opposed to China's development and wanted to interfere in the country's politics and legal system. She said: "We will not be pressured by clowns."

Beijing was furious at the decision to recognise Liu, who is serving an 11-year sentence for incitement to subvert state power through his co-authorship of Charter 08, a call for democratic reforms.

The authorities have placed his wife, Liu Xia, and other supporters under house arrest and have barred other activists and dissidents from leaving the country, apparently for fear they will attend the event.

The event would normally be marked by the handover of the Nobel gold medal, a diploma and prize money worth 10m kronor (£1.04m), but organisers said that would not happen this year because only close family can collect those on a winner's behalf. China is unlikely to let Liu's relatives attend.

The organisers said they would still hold the traditional torch parade from Oslo City Hall to the Grand hotel. Normally the winner appears on the balcony of the hotel to greet the public, but this year a picture of Liu will be projected on to the building.
 

Yusuf

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In school we used say balls to you if someone said things we didn't like.

India cannot bow down to chinese demands. On what basis are they asking this anyway? India has to show it stands for freedom and cheer the Nobel winner.
 

sayareakd

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if Nobel ever give award for suppression of people and their voice then china is one of the first contender and it should get it (US is now just started to doing the same with Wiki leaks).

of the countries who are with china
Pakistan= Pakistan blindly follows China, no guess for the reason.

Iran and Sudan, Kazakhstan, Colombia, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Iraq, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Philippines, Egypt, Ukraine, Cuba and Morocco. = these countries one way or the other have commercial and military relationship with china.

Russia= just wonder what makes Russians do this ???
 

Oracle

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Bollocks! Why should we listen to the Chinese? Attending the Nobel Prize ceremony makes a more meaningful response while we are dealing with China, the way we are now.
 

SHASH2K2

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I pity Former superpower Russia. Looks like they are also bowing down to pressure of almighty China. Shame on those countries who bow down to Evil chinese.
 

Oracle

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India to attend Nobel prize presentation, says Prize panel

India will be participating at the presentation of the Nobel Peace Prize to Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobao on Friday in Oslo, Norway, according to the Nobel Prize Committee.

This comes despite China asking governments not to attend the ceremony which its sees as an act directed against it and is likely to create irritation in the bilateral ties.

India is among 44 countries which has confirmed its participation, Torill Johansen, Secretary in the Nobel Committee Staff, told PTI over phone from Oslo. However, there was no immediate reaction available from the External Affairs Ministry in New Delhi.

According to the Committee, "44 embassies have indicated that they will be represented at the Ceremony, two (Algeria and Sri Lanka) have not replied, and 19 have for various reasons declined our invitations."

The 19 countries are--- China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Columbia, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Serbia, Iraq , Iran, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Venezuela, the Philippines, Egypt, Sudan, Ukraine, Cuba and Morocco.

The Oslo ceremony comes only five days ahead of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to the country. China has protested against the Nobel Committee's decision to award Liu, saying "Liu Xiaobo is a criminal who has been sentenced by Chinese judicial departments for violating Chinese law."

Liu is serving an 11-year jail term on subversion charges for his role in advocating democracy and multi-party rule.

Source: Rediff.com
 

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