Excerpt from report by Radio Australia

Australia's opposition Labor Party has attacked the government over reports that Prime Minister John Howard has been advised not to meet the Dalai Lama when the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader visits Australia next month. The foreign minister, Alexander Downer, has declined to comment on the report, but the opposition's foreign affairs spokesman, Laurie Brereton, says Mr Downer is to blame for the reported advice to Mr Howard. Mr Brereton says Australia's relationship with China has deteriorated in recent months because of Mr Downer's incompetence...

Source: Radio Australia external service, Melbourne, in English 0900 gmt 12, Aug 96