World Tibet Network News Friday, February 27, 1998

TAIPEI, Feb 26 (AFP) - A group of separatist activists from Tibet and two Chinese provinces, including a brother of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, have voiced support for Taiwan independence, reports said Thursday.

Thubten Jigme Norbu, a brother of the Dalai Lama, told the press on arrival late Wednesday that he was here "to show my support for Taiwan independence."

He added he was also here to enlist support for the cause of Tibetan independence from China.

The Dalai Lama in his first visit to Taiwan last year, said he only wanted autonomy from China.

The other visitors include Tibetan independence movement advocate, Katie Murphy, Inner Mongolia independence activist, Johnghar Bache, and two Xinjiang independence movement leaders, Anwar Yusur and Erkin Alptehin.

The group are to attend a ceremony in memory of thousands of Taiwanese killed in clashes with troops on February 28, 1947.

Between 18,000 and 28,000 Taiwanese natives died when troops belonging to the then nationalist government in China were sent to the island to put down riots sparked by clashes between locals and officials.

The visit by the separatist group provoked a protest from the right-wing Patriotic Association.

"Why has the government not expelled them after they came here to promote secessionist theory," Patriotic Association official said, alleging that the visitors are conducting activities that "does not comply with their status."

Kao Koong-lian, chairman of the cabinet-level Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission, said the activist group would not be banned here as Taiwan is an "open and democratic society."

China has more than once threatened to invade Taiwan should the island formally declare indepence. The two archrivals separated at the end of a civil war in 1949.