Government News Index
PM accused of Tibet hypocrisy
AAP
30mar02
THE Australia Tibet Council (ATC) has accused Prime Minister John Howard of hypocrisy if he fails to meet with the Dalai Lama during a visit to Australia in May.
ATC president Alex Butler urged Mr Howard to reconsider his decision not to meet with the Tibetan spiritual leader, saying a failure to do so would send a message that Australia responded only to violence.
"In today's troubled and violent world the Dalai Lama stands out for his steadfast commitment to non-violence as a means of resolving the Tibetan situation," Ms Butler said.
"If the prime minister doesn't meet the Dalai Lama the message he'll send is that non-violence is weak and will be ignored and that violence is more likely to get attention and results.
"That's a pretty hypocritical stand for a government that claims to be a leader in the war against terrorism."
She said Mr Howard's decision appeared to be a response to a warning by Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jaixuan earlier this month to ignore the Dalai Lama.
Mr Howard met with the Dalai Lama in Sydney in 1996 despite objections from Beijing but his spokeswoman today said he had no plans to initiate a second meeting.
"Mr Howard met the Dalai Lama after his last visit and has no current plans to meet with him on his upcoming visit," the spokeswoman said.
The Dalai Lama is due to visit Australia from May 19 to 27, travelling to Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney, before heading to New Zealand where he was expected to meet with Prime Minister Helen Clark.