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.