FED: Rudd will raise human rights issues with China - Albanese

AAP General News (Australia)
04-09-2008
FED: Rudd will raise human rights issues with China - Albanese

CANBERRA, April 9 AAP - Australian recognition of China's sovereignty over Tibet won't
stop Prime Minister Kevin Rudd raising the issue of human rights with his Chinese hosts,
a senior government minister says.

Mr Rudd has arrived in China amid a diplomatic row over his comments about Tibet.

Federal Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese has told Fairfax Radio Network: "Australia
has a firm position of supporting one China ... but at the same time, we don't ignore
human rights issues."

He said "it will be pretty hard to imagine (these issues) not being raised".

"The prime minister has said that the Chinese government should engage (Tibet's spiritual
leader) the Dalai Lama, or his representatives, in an informal set of discussions about
the situation."

Mr Rudd's call for talks between Beijing and the Dalai Lama - made while he was in
Washington - has prompted Chinese complaints.

"These issues are complex but it's important that Australia's position of recognising
China's sovereignty over Tibet is there, but at the same time we also want to see human
rights respected and for dialogue to occur," Mr Albanese said.

"If people want to see China engaging more with the world, then what better way than
for the Olympics to be held there."

Mr Albanese has condemned protesters who disrupted the London and Paris legs of the
Olympic torch relay.

"I really don't support the view that somehow you use the Olympics as a battering ram
against the Chinese government.

"I don't think that will be effective.

"Some of the (protesters) ... that appear to be using this issue to engage in violent
demonstrations, trying to douse the flame ... these sorts of activities, I think, do their
cause no good whatsoever."

AAP kms/rl/jec/mn

KEYWORD: OLY08 FLAME ALBANESE

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