Published by: World Tibet Network News, Monday, June 21, 1996

Source: `Die Welt', Berlin, in German 19 Jun 96 p5

Excerpts from report entitled: "Beijing still in favour of Kinkel visit" ; carried by the German newspaper `Die Welt'

Despite the expected adoption of a Bundestag resolution on Thursday [20th June] criticizing Chinese policy in Tibet, Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel is welcome to visit Beijing in July.

Shen Guofang, spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said: "We are actively preparing for the visit." China's leadership hopes that the federal government will take "concrete and effective steps" to prevent interference in China's domestic affairs, he said.

According to information obtained by `Die Welt', Klaus Kinkel will hold a one-hour talk with the Chinese foreign minister. Kinkel is expected in Beijing from 11th to 13th July. Bonn government circles are wondering whether a visit to Beijing is appropriate at this time, but apparently Kinkel also wants to discuss the closure of the Beijing bureau of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, which is linked to the Free Democratic Party. Last Thursday, the Chinese regime objected to the Tibet conference held by this foundation...

The Bundestag Tibet motion, issued jointly by the Bundestag party groups and due to be voted upon, also criticizes China's Tibet policy and does not recognize Tibet as an integral part of China. This paper accuses China of serious human rights violations against Tibet. In a declaration given to `Die Welt', the Chinese embassy in Bonn says that the adoption of this motion "would severely injure the feelings of the Chinese people and seriously damage the good relations between the two countries" .

The embassy declaration conflicts with the statements of the Beijing Foreign Ministry spokesman. In the embassy declaration, China indicates for the first time a readiness to hold talks with the Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of the Tibetans. The Chinese government has said that if the Dalai Lama recognizes Tibet as an inseparable part of China, then "the central government is prepared to commence talks with him" .

On the subject of the forthcoming adoption of the Tibet motion, Michael Glos, chairman of the Christian Social Union laender group, said that afterwards, Bonn will have to pursue a "realistic Chinese policy" again. "Beijing is an important economic and trade partner for Germany," he said. "Kinkel is right to visit Beijing." Glos, too, signed the inter-party motion.