World Tibet Network News Friday, June 26, 1998

BEIJING, June 26 (UPI) - China has lashed out at the White House for appointing a special coordinator for Tibetan affairs, calling the move "irresponsible." Responding to questions about U.S. criticism of China's heavy-handed rule in Tibet, Director Ye Xiaowen ("yay sheow-when") of the State Administration for Religious Affairs denounced Washington for appointing State Department official Greg Craig to the controversial post. At a press conference for reporters covering President Bill Clinton's trip to China, Ye said, "Despite international law and norms governing international relations, the U.S. has instituted such a coordinator." He added that while China welcomes "friends" from overseas to visit Tibet, Craig is not on the guest list. Ye said, "If such a person makes irresponsible remarks about China's internal affairs, of course he is not welcome in China and will never be allowed to visit Tibet."

Craig, who is also a State Department policy planning director, is not among Clinton's 1,000-strong delegation of officials, family members and journalists accompanying the president on his nine-day, five-city tour. Senior U.S. officials responsible for China policy argue Craig was not keptout of China on purpose. "This is no attempt to kowtow to China," the officials said on condition of anonymity. Human rights groups, however, disagree. Mike Jendrezyk, Washington director for Human Rights Watch Asia, said Craig's absence was both surprising and disappointing since he understood the Tibetan coordinator was scheduled to join Clinton in China. He told United Press International: "It fits the pattern of how this trip is being handled. They are walking on eggshells trying not to offend the Chinese."Tibet is a sore point for China, which has brutally suppressed the indigenous Buddhist culture during four decades of communist rule.

Ye spent the better part of the news conference defending China's rule in Tibet, arguing the nation used to suffer under an inhuman religious dictatorship. He said: "In the past, Tibet was under a feudal serfdom ruled by the Dalai Lama. This period was more dark and savage than the worst time during the Middle Ages in Europe." Ye added that in the four decades since communist armies took over Tibet, the nation has seen enormous improvements in living standards and the protection of human rights. He also attacked the dalai lama as an anti-China force aimed at splitting the motherland. U.S. officials said Craig, who has not spoken publicly about Tibet since his appointment more than six months ago, plans to adopt a much higher profile on the issue if Beijing continues to ignore Washington's calls for a dialogue with the dalai lama. They said Craig will discuss the issue in open congressional testimony and possibly deliver speeches should the situation continue.