MANY thousands of anti-war protestors took to the streets of London and Glasgow recently as part of a global "World Without War" programme.

These domestic demonstrations were largely ignored by the media, as were similar events in dozens of other countries.

In the Tibetan capital of Lhasa, however, far lower numbers drew sharp attention to themselves by beating up and stabbing unarmed police and members of the Han Chinese - five per cent ethnic minority - setting buildings on fire and destroying motor vehicles.

A jaundiced observer might ask whether, in terms of media attention, the Tibetan separatists' violence proved more efficacious than the anti-war movement's lawabiding peaceful approach.

But a moment's reflection or time spent watching BBC coverage of events in Tibet would have revealed that the guiding principle for Britain's establishment voice was political.

As a dutiful defender of the British government's imperialist wars, it has no interest in spotlighting the most consistent critics of this strategy, while it spares no effort to join international attempts to embarrass and put pressure on China in the run-up to the Beijing Olympic games.

James Fitzpatrick, Socialist Labour Party, Gateshead.

WELL done David and Julia Bowles for your letter on Tibet (HAS, Mar 24). Many Chinese continue to act in a cruel and uncivilised manner, and still lie to their people.

Look at what they teach them in school, for instance, about Tiananmen Square - that it was just a minor skirmish. Then ask reporter Kate Adie, who was there, and you'll get the truth.

This crushing of the Tibetan people and their culture is nothing short of ethnic cleansing. It bothered us when it was on our doorstep in Europe. How come our Government is supporting these Olympic Games in the light of what is happening openly under our very noses and is clearly dismissed by the Chinese Embassy as a minor event?

Julia Barltrop, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham.