Tibet “separatists” trying to wreck Olympics

SEOUL - Communist North Korea on Thursday blasted Tibetan “separatists,” saying they are seeking to scuttle this summer’s Beijing Olympics, and backed China’s handling of unrest in the region.

A foreign ministry spokesman said violence in Lhasa was ”committed by Tibet separatists in an organised manner at the prodding of dishonest elements.”

The spokesman, in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency, described Tibet as “part of an inalienable territory” of China.

China is North Korea’s only remaining major ally and supports its impoverished neighbour with fuel and food deliveries.

“The DPRK (North Korean) government strongly denounces the unsavoury elements for their moves to seek “independence of Tibet’ and scuttle the upcoming Beijing Olympics, and supports the Chinese government in its efforts to ensure social stability and the rule of law in Tibet and defend the fundamental interests of the Tibetan people,” the spokesman said.

North Korea also supports China in opposing what is seen as Taiwan’s bid for independence.

China has denied using deadly force to quell the recent unrest and said the only deaths so far were 13 “innocent civilians” killed by rioters in Lhasa on Friday, while 325 people were injured.

Tibet’s government-in-exile has put the “confirmed” death toll from a week of unrest at 99.

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