9-11-95 (Politiken is one of the five leading Danish newspaper)

The Chinese embassy in Copenhagen now directs a vehement attack on the decision by Folketinget to have a hearing on conditions in Tibet. At the same time, protests from the Danish industry are gaining in strength, and parties in the Folketinget are now divided on the issue of the planned hearing.

According to the Chinese embassy, the hearing is a "rude interference in China's internal affairs and will have a negative effect on relations between Denmark and China".

"We express deep regret and hope that the Foreign Affairs Committee of the parliament will appreciate the friendly cooperation between China and Denmark and stop meddling in China's internal affairs", a press release says.

Even though the Chinese reaction is perceived as very sharp, it will not make the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Folketinget, Jorgen Estrup, give up the hearing.

"I had not expected the embassy to come forward with these kinds of threats. But I will not accept censureship, and as long as the parties agree, the hearing will be carried through", says Jorgen Estrup.

But already before the Chinese reaction, Venstre (the Liberal Party) - because of protests from the industry - had distanced itself from the hearing by demanding a series of conditions to be fulfilled and declare that "it is not sure that the hearing will take place at all".

"Venstre has not voted in favour of the hearing, only of investigating the possibilities. If the hearing can not become multi-faceted, and if China is not represented by, for example, the ambassador, the hearing should not be carried through", says Hanne Severinsen (the Liberal Party).

She is "annoyed" over yesterday's reactions from, among others, the Danish Industry (DI) and stresses that the hearing should not lead to a confrontation with China.

The message from Venstre came the day after all parties, according to Per Stig Moller (The Conservatives), had reached agreement on a hearing on conditions in Chinese occupied Tibet. But both Hanne Severinsen and her party colleague in the Foreign Affairs Committee, Knud Enggaard, yesterday criticised the conservative initiator of the hearing, Per Stig Moller, for being too fast in his announcements.

"Per Stig Moller has shoved out and oversold this Tibet hearing, because nothing has yet been decided", says Knud Enggaard, who adds that it should also be examined how a similar hearing in June affected relations with China.

Neither Ventre's or China's announcements make the conservative Per Stig Moller change his opinion: "I am very surprised that the party now beats a retreat; because it should not surprise anybody that the industry reacts as it does. And if the truth is controversial, the hearing has to become controversial too", says Per Stig Moller who adds that the conference first of all should deal with human rights and the position of women in Tibet.

Fowarded by: anders.hoejmark.andersen@anthro.ku.dk