Repères 25/03/08 - Tibet, l'ombre de la CIA
Tibet, the 'great game' and the CIA
By Richard M Bennett, Asia Times 26/03/08
"Given the historical context of the unrest in Tibet, there is reason to
believe Beijing was caught on the hop with the recent demonstrations for the
simple reason that their planning took place outside of Tibet and that the
direction of the protesters is similarly in the hands of anti-Chinese
organizers safely out of reach in Nepal and northern India.
Similarly, the funding and overall control of the unrest has also been
linked to Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, and by inference to the US
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) because of his close cooperation with US
intelligence for over 50 years.
Indeed, with the CIA's deep involvement with the Free Tibet Movement and its
funding of the suspiciously well-informed Radio Free Asia, it would seem
somewhat unlikely that any revolt could have been planned or occurred without
the prior knowledge, and even perhaps the agreement, of the National
Clandestine Service (formerly known as the Directorate of Operations) at CIA
headquarters in Langley.
Respected columnist and former senior Indian Intelligence officer, B Raman,
commented on March 21 that "on the basis of available evidence, it was possible
to assess with a reasonable measure of conviction" that the initial uprising in
Lhasa on March 14 "had been pre-planned and well orchestrated"...
...So is the CIA once again playing the "great game" in Tibet?
It certainly has the capability, with a significant intelligence and
paramilitary presence in the region. Major bases exist in Afghanistan, Iraq,
Pakistan and several Central Asian states.
It cannot be doubted that it has an interest in undermining China, as well
as the more obvious target of Iran.
So the probable answer is yes, and indeed it would be rather surprising if
the CIA was not taking more than just a passing interest in Tibet. That is
after all what it is paid to do...
...For Washington and the CIA, this may seem a heaven-sent opportunity to
create a significant lever against Beijing, with little risk to American
interests; simply a win-win situation..."
