The development of China's Tibet Autonomous Region has been constantly disturbed and damaged by secessionists, said a veteran Tibetan official on Wednesday.

Ragdi, former vice-chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, made the remark at a meeting of the Counseling Committee on Development of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

"Tibet is at the forefront of China's battleground with secessionists organized by the Dalai clique and supported by some hostile Western powers," said Ragdi.

He said the regional government has to prepare against social disturbance while addressing development issues in Tibet.

Repeated episodes of violence happened in Tibet between 1987 and 1988, after the 1959 failed rebellion to secede Tibet from the motherland.

"A riot would have occurred in Tibet sooner or later, if not in Lhasa," said Ragdi, referring to the violent riot that occurred on March 14.

(Xinhua News Agency, March 19, 2008)