Tram plan on track for Tibet human rights row

Published on Thursday 8 June 2006 11:33

EDINBURGH'S tram plan faces running into a human rights row following concerns raised by the Free Tibet Campaign.

The group, which opposes China's occupation of Tibet, is locked in a battle with Canadian transport giant Bombardier, which is one of four shortlisted to build Edinburgh's tramcars.

But Bombardier is also supplying railcars for a new railway between Golmud and Lhasa in Tibet, which is being built by China in time for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The Free Tibet campaign calls this an "overtly political project" by China to facilitate its control over Tibet, and the scheme was referred to as "some kind of cultural genocide" by the Dalai Lama.

Members of the group have written to transport chiefs at TIE - the council-owned firm behind the tram plans - as well as MSPs and councillors.

If Bombardier wins the contract, they have threatened protests and warned of "grave potential consequences" for TIE's reputation.

A spokeswoman for TIE said: "As a project involving use of public funds, tendering for the provision of tram vehicles for Edinburgh is taking place under the rules of the European Union."

She said four firms had been chosen to compete for the contract. The one offering trams that met the requirements of a "fast, efficient and reliable service" fit for Edinburgh's "unique environment" would be victorious.