Tibetian tension

Journalists have been drawing comparisons between theBaltics (in the early nineties) and Tibet today. Which is why it shouldcome as no surprise that Balts are gearing up to show support for thesituation.

Yesterday, a quiet protest in front of the Chinese embassyin Riga tookplace, uniting celebrities and commoners in a symbolic ceremony ofextinguishing the Olympic Torch.

The leader of the group, Mikus Trautmanis "For Free Tibet"said that "The developments in the province of Tibet is a recurrentreminder to the residents of Latvia, that history is repeating, as Latvia wasin the same situation not a long time ago,".

A minute of silence to commemorate the people deceased in Tibet andsymbolic establishment of Latvian-Tibetan Way by joining hands are planned as well.

A Latvian NGO was set up by seven doctors to publiclyexpress support for Tibet'sefforts to gain religious and cultural independence and will call on UNofficials to asses the recent events and to urge Chine to pull forces out of Tibet.

The NGO also plans to invite the Dalai Lama to Latvia showingsupport for him as an important spiritual leader in today's world.

These events culminated this week when a group of Latvians planningto climb Mount Everest this year was broughtto an end by Chinese authorities who have shut down the base camps to anyforeign visitors.