Published by World Tibet Network News - Friday, February 28, 1997CHAMONIX, France, Feb 28 (AFP) - More than 2,000 people have signed a petition protesting a Franco-Chinese climbing expedition to scale Everest because of Beijing's repression in Tibet, mountaineering officials said Friday.
The French Alpine Club (CAF), which organized the petition, says the mission to scale Everest from the Tibetan side of the world's highest mountain risks being seen as supporting China's policy towards Tibet.
The trip, originally planned for this spring but now delayed until next year, "would legitimize all China's demands on Tibet, contributing to people forgetting the limitless oppression there," said CAF president Andre Croibier.
Top French mountaineers have already said they will boycott the Franco-Chinese expedition. The attempt to scale the 8,848-metre (29,028-feet) mountain by a new route has been postponed due to the protests.
About 10 Chinese and French climbers plan to open a new direct route on the north face of Everest, partially scaling a rocky spur at over 7,000 metres (23,100 feet), which will present enormous difficulties.
The expedition will use oxygen cylinders for more than 2,000 metres before making the final assault.
