China Needlessly Endangers Climbers On Mount Everest

In yet another story of GREAT SHAME for China and their lap dog comrades (the Nepalese Army), seems that military thugs, bruts in cahoots with the Chinese regime have put climbers on Mount Everest in grave and perilous danger by taking away their ability to communicate with the outside world. As the tensions from China's brutal raping of the Tibetan people continues, as China tries to shut down protests on the eve of the 2008 Beijing Olympics of Shame, these thugs in the Nepalese Army are aiding and abetting, have tried to shut down news getting out to the Western Media, and as a part of that goal, they have confiscated the laptops of world reknown climbers currently on mountain face. Nepal should also feel GREAT SHAME at their army's unscruplous behavior.

Olympic torch: Mountaineers cut off from world for fear of Tibet protests

Jeremy Page, South Asia Correspondent

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/olympics/article3672004.ece

Climbers on Everest have been virtually cut off from the outside world after the Nepalese Army confiscated their laptops, cameras and satellite phones to prevent protests against Chinese rule in Tibet while the Olympic torch is carried to the summit.

The mountaineers, including Sir Ranulph Fiennes, the British adventurer, are forbidden from staying higher than Camp 2 until May 10, when the torch is expected to reach the top of the world’s highest peak.

Nepal imposed the restrictions under pressure from China, which has closed its side of Everest to prevent protests during the torch’s ascent.

Climbers on the Nepalese side can use radios to communicate with each other, although their conversations are monitored by military “liaison officers” assigned to each expedition.

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They can ask for permission to use their satellite phones, but must speak in front of the officers.

The only other way to communicate with loved ones, sponsors or fans is by sending runners with handwritten messages to Gorak Shep, the nearest village below base camp, where the rules do not apply.