"Sydney Morning Herald", Thursday, August 29, 1996

By Stephen Hutcheon, Herald Correspondent in Shanghai

Australia's Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Fischer, played down the potentially controversial visit to Australia next month by the Dalai Lama, saying it was false to believe no good had come of China's rule in Tibet, and that Beijing had made great efforts to improve Tibetan health and education.

Speaking on the first day of a seven-day tour to China expected to focus on trade and investment, Mr Fischer said that although there had been some concerns over "human rights and other aspects" of Chinese rule in Tibet, Beijing's contribution to improving social conditions in the Himalayan province had been overlooked.

"It is wrong to say Richard Gere has got it entirely right and Beijing has got it entirely wrong - that is a falsehood," Mr Fischer said, referring to the American actor who is a major supporter of the Dalai Lama.

The Dalai Lama and his supporters contend the Chinese authorities have perpetrated many human rights and cultural abuses in Tibet, but Beijing says these are lies being spread by "splittists" working with hostile foreign powers to weaken China.

Mr Fischer, who visited the Tibetan capital of Lhasa in 1993 as part of a National Party delegation, said the primary focus of his present trip was "trade, trade, trade, investment and tourism".

"It is not wise to ignore the fact there, for instance, has been a great effort injected into improving the health and education of Tibetans by the initiative of Beijing," Mr Fischer said, after officiating at the start of Qantas's non-stop flights from Sydney to Shanghai.

"Some would argue, OK, that comes with a cost. I would simply say I have been to Tibet for a week, and there are many aspects to the complex circumstances in Tibet."

The Chinese Premier, Mr Li Peng, last week warned the Australian Foreign Minister, Mr Downer, relations would suffer if senior Australian officials meet the Dalai Lama.

Mr Li told Mr Downer China used to have good relations with Germany, in a reference to the recent dispute between the two countries over a motion passed by the German Parliament in June condemning China for its human rights record in Tibet.

However, Mr Downer has said he will meet the Dalai Lama during his visit to Australia next month, and the Prime Minister, Mr Howard, has said he will also meet the trade leader if his schedule permits.

With two-way trade between China and Australia running at $8 billion a year, Mr Fischer, who is also the Trade Minister, is clearly hoping to relegate the political issues arising from Mr Downer's visit to the backburner.

Forwarded by Alex Butler (Australian Tibet Council)