Dunedin, NZ (ODT) 4 June 1996 - By Fiona Hill and NZPA

New Zealand would be abusing the Human Rights Act if it refused entry to Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama, Dunedin Mayor Sukhi Turner said yesterday.

Mrs Turner, who is well known for her opposition of China's policies, said the Dalai Lama had every right to visit whatever country he chose.

She was reacting to news the Chinese Government had called on the New Zealand Government to refuse entry to the Tibetan leader.

Chinese ambassador Huang Guifang said at a New Zealand-China symposium in Wellington this week the Dalai Lama's intended visit in September "can by no means be acceptable to us."

He also warned it would be unacceptable for New Zealand officials to meet the DalaiLama.

Mr Huang said a visit could interfere with, the development of smooth relations.

When the Dalai Lama last visited in 1992 he was met by Prime Minister Jim Bolger and Foreign Minister Don McKinnon.

Mr Bolger emphasised then he was meeting the Dalai Lama in his capacity as a world religious leader and that politics would not be discussed.

Mr Huang told the symposium the Dalai Lama was "not a purely a religious personage but an exile who engages in political activities aimed at splitting the motherland."

"Therefore, the Chinese Government resolutely opposes his visit to other countries ... to conduct political propaganda distorting Tibet's history and current situation or advocating independence."

Mrs Turner suggested yesterday "some of this is very emotive and unhelpful language."

"Asking that sidesteps the rights of a person to gain entry to a country by legitimate means."

"I think we would be abusing the Human Rights Act. We would be doing exactly the same thing which is the reason I oppose the oppressive regime in China."

Mrs Turner attracted national publicity earlier this year when she refused to lead a trade delegation to Shanghai in China because of the country's policies and human rights record.

She said yesterday she would be "delighted and honoured" to meet the Dalai Lama if he did visit later this year.