tibet railway

Potala1
Originally uploaded by jessalauren.

three Canadian corporations, bombardier, power corp. and nortel, recently announced their involvement in the operation of china’s railway to lhasa, tibet. slated to begin test runs in 2006, the railway threatens to increase environmental pressure on the high-altitude ecosystem, facilitate the entry of large numbers of settlers onto tibetan lands, and bolster military strength in the region. corporate interests are now poised to benefit from these impacts despite stated policies to conduct themselves ethically in their business dealings.

students for a free tibet have organized an online action centre where you can easily send a prewritten email to bombardier, expressing your concern about their involvement in the railway.

the canada tibet comitee have also put up a railway action page for more information about the railway and what you can do to help.

sample letter:

Mr Beaudoin,

I am disturbed to hear that Bombardier is supplying cars to the Chinese government for the China-Tibet Railway. I trust that after hearing the legitimate concerns surrounding the project, you will cancel your involvement in it.

The Tibet railway is the single project most feared by Tibetans, who have lived under Chinese occupation since 1949-50. The rail line will greatly facilitate China's efforts to move millions of Chinese settlers into Tibet, enable increased militarization of the Tibetan plateau, and allow China to easily transport Tibet's rich natural resources to the energy hungry cities on China's east coast. The railway is China's "final solution" in its colonization of Tibet.

The Chinese government itself has acknowledged that the railway is politically motivated. By agreeing to supply rail cars to the Chinese government for this project, Bombardier has made itself complicit in China's occupation of Tibet and the egregious rights abuses perpetrated by China upon Tibetans.

As a Canadian, I am deeply disappointed that you would even consider tarnishing our global image by joining the Chinese government in a project of this nature. I trust that you will do the right thing and pull out of this project.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

bombardier
power corp
nortel