Clinton reassures democracy leader on HK status-quo
Clinton reassures democracy leader on HK status-quo
WASHINGTON (Reuter): President Bill Clinton has told a Hong Kong democracy advocate there "would be consequences" if freedom erodes in the colony once China assumes control on July 1, according to the White House.
Discussing his talks with Martin Lee, a Hong Kong democracy leader, Clinton told a news conference Friday that he wanted "to make it clear that Hong Kong is important to us; the people of Hong Kong are important."
Clinton joined a meeting at the White House between Vice President Al Gore and Lee, who is regarded with suspicion by Beijing. They discussed the 1984 pact between China and Britain that returns control of the colony to Beijing.
Asked what the United States would do if China tried to take away the liberties of Hong Kong residents, Clinton replied: "It's an important matter, and we expect that they will live up to their agreement. And it's our policy, strong policy, that they should."
White House Press Secretary Mike McCurry told reporters that it was Clinton's position that "there would be consequences for any erosion of the freedoms and liberties that are currently enjoyed by the people of Hong Kong."
Lee, who has been touring U.S. and Canadian cities since March 19, said he had "a very good meeting" with Clinton and Gore as he sought to outline his concerns about the turnover.
"I have no doubt at all after this meeting and of course last week's meeting with Secretary of State (Madeleine) Albright that the U.S. government will defend Hong Kong's freedoms," he told reporters.
Albright said this week she would travel to Hong Kong to represent the United States when China takes over in July.
The United States has been walking a diplomatic tightrope in its dealings with China -- anxious to avoid a renewal of tensions over human rights and trade disputes but unwilling to ignore concerns raised by prospects of a political crackdown.
Aware of diplomatic sensitivities, Clinton did not meet with Lee in the traditional setting of the Oval Office but instead "stopped by" the Lee-Gore talks. McCurry said Clinton attended 25 minutes of the 45 minute-session.
Gore has been criticized for failing to visit Hong Kong during his trip to China, Japan and South Korea last month. It was ruled out at the urging of the State Department and the National Security Council staff.
Honor
Lee and others claim China has already taken steps that renege on its promise to honor the freedom of the territory's 6.2 million inhabitants.
The fate of Hong Kong is expected to weigh heavily in the U.S. congressional debate over renewing Most Favored Nation trade status for China. Clinton is expected to renew MFN when it expires in June, but the move can be blocked if the House and Senate object. Lee said MFN renewal would help Hong Kong.
Clinton faces an even touchier decision for U.S.-China relations next week when the Dalai Lama visits Washington.
McCurry said the Tibetan spiritual leader was expected to meet with White House officials "at some level," but said no decision had been made on whether he would have his first ever meeting with Clinton.
China opposes all overseas visits by the Dalai Lama, who has been in exile since an abortive uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet in 1959.
Beijing claims he is not a religious leader but a political activist who wants to split China. Last year it warned that countries whose leaders met with him would suffer the consequences in its trade and business ties with China.
China and the United States have seen ties strained by a series of disputes ranging from human rights and arms proliferation to Taiwan and trade.
But relations have become especially complicated for Clinton because of claims China illegally funneled campaign donations to his Democratic Party in last year's elections.
Beijing denies the allegations, but the Justice Department and congressional committees are investigating.