China, Tibet and the Summer Olympics

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The Olympic games are providing an international forum for Tibetan grievances against Chinese rule. During a week of violent protest, China has cracked down. What's the international reaction? Will the incident make life better or worse in Tibet? Also, Barack Obama wins another major endorsement, and State Department contractors have been fired for rifling the passport files of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain. Political dirty tricks or just curiosity?

A frame grab taken from China's state television shows armed soldiers on a street in the Tibetan capital Lhasa. Photo: AFP/AFP/Getty Images

Making News

Richardson Endorses Obama ()

Barack Obama got a major endorsement today from New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, himself a former presidential candidate. Richardson's endorsement came at a rally in Portland, Oregon, which holds its primary in May. Walter Shapiro is Washington Bureau Chief for Salon.com.

Guests:

Walter Shapiro: Washington Bureau Chief, Salon.com

Main Topic

Tibet Blows Up Before Beijing Olympics ()

China is pouring troops into Tibet, where violent protests have led to deaths, injuries and widespread property damage. The exiled Dalai Lama has threatened to step down if the violence continues and repeated his offer to speak with Chinese leaders who blame him for starting it all. Today, from his home in exile in Dharamsala, India, the Dalai Lama met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She said the visit had long been planned, but took the opportunity to denounce what she called "China's oppression of people in Tibet." Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has urged "restraint" and "dialogue," but President Bush still plans to attend the Beijing Olympics. The games are providing an international forum for ethnic, religious and territorial disputes. What's at stake for China? Will Tibet see any change?

Guests:

Howard French: Staff Writer, New York Times
Tsering Wangdu Shakya: Tibet Specialist, University of British Columbia
Steven Marshall: Senior Advisor, Congressional-Executive Commission on China
Michael Green: former Senior Specialist on Asia to President Bush
Alan Abrahamson: Staff Writer, NBCSports.com

Reporter's Notebook

Passport Files of Presidential Candidates Breached ()

The State Department's Inspector General is investigating private contractors who improperly accessed the passport files of Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain. The Secretary of State apologized personally today to Obama, before it was disclosed that the passport files of McCain and Clinton had also been improperly accessed. Bill Gertz broke the story for the Washington Times.

Guests:

Bill Gertz: National Security Reporter, Washington Times

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