NEPAL: KATHMANDU: TIBETAN REFUGEES CELEBRATE DENG XIAOPING'S DEATH скачать в хорошем качестве

NEPAL: KATHMANDU: TIBETAN REFUGEES CELEBRATE DENG XIAOPING'S DEATH

(26 Feb 1997) English/Nat Many Tibetan refugees living in exile in Nepal are quietly celebrating the death of China's paramount leader Deng Xiaoping. Most took flight to Kathmandu after Chinese soldiers entered Tibet in 1950; many more have escaped from religious persecution in the years that followed. In the high hills of Nepal on the roof of the world there were few tears shed for Deng Xiaoping. For this is home to countless Tibetan refugees who have escaped Chinese religious persecution. They fled over mountain passes and now scratch a meagre existence in sub-zero temperatures. In the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, special refugee centres house hundreds of Tibetan families. Many of these children have never even seen their homeland. Their parents hope that Deng's death may change that, so one day all the exiles here can return to Tibet. But with reports from China that continually talk of crackdowns against religious freedoms; that day could still be some way off. Many harbour a hatred for Deng - for them watching his funeral on television was reason enough for celebration. SOUNDBITE: (English) "We were very happy when he (Deng) was dying, we were very happy, but China is very strong we know and in China they never believe in God, you know, so whatever they like they are doing, but one day they can find a very good, big punishment, we know, and one day we know their country is like Russia." SUPER CAPTION: Wangmo, Tibetan refugee The refugees toil from dawn to dusk weaving traditional Tibetan rugs in an effort to make enough money to live. They pray for rapid political change inside China in the wake of Deng's death but are cautious about how and when it will happen. This young man, like so many others, is scared to give his full name - fearing reprisals from Nepalese Communists. But he admits he and his friends went to a hotel to celebrate Deng's death. He says he's no expert, but hopes there will be change in Beijing. SOUNDBITE: (English) "Q: So, what do you think, with the death of Deng Xiaoping, will there be any change on Chinese policy towards Tibet? A: For that I don't know much about it but I think there will be change, maybe a problem of Tiananmen Square, I don't know, I don't know much about politics but I think there will be a change." SUPER CAPTION: Anthony, Tibetan refugee Many of the older refugees claim personal experience of brutal treatment by Chinese authorities stretching back decades. Others say they had family members killed or marched off to labour camps by the Chinese. In their hearts most privately admit it may be a long time before they can return over these mountains to the place they still call home. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...