Howard agreement 'limits Rudd access to Hu'July 15, 2009Article...

Howard agreement 'limits Rudd access to Hu'

July 15, 2009
Article from: Australian Associated Press

PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd says an agreement reached between the Chinese and Howard governments limits the amount of contact his Government can have with captured Rio Tinto executive Stern Hu.

Mr Rudd said the Australian Government had been seeking more information on Mr Hu from the Chinese authorities.

"We'll continue to make the representations that we have in the past and further representations in the future," he said.

"I note the consular agreement, which we inherited from the previous Australian government, limits the demands we can make on the Chinese authorities for consular access.

"For instance, it only entitles the government to have access to Mr Hu once a month."

Access to Mr Hu thus far had been "consistent with the provisions of the agreement", according to officials, Mr Rudd said.

He had spent much of the past two days in "extensive briefings" with senior government officials and the acting Foreign Minister, John Faulkner, he said.

"We will need to continue to pursue this matter and this case methodically, carefully and patiently and in direct support of Mr Hu's interests. His wellbeing is our primary concern."

Mr Rudd confirmed the Government had not received a direct briefing from the Chinese on why Mr Hu had been detained.

"We can simply go to the basis of their public statements ... namely that the Chinese have indicated in their public statements that while he has not been charged they have indicated that he is being investigated on suspicion of espionage and stealing state secrets."

Australia would continue to pursue a broad-based relationship with China, he said.

"It's one where we'll pursue all of our interests simultaneously and that doesn't preclude making representations or international statements about problems of human rights in China.

"I've done so in the past, I'll continue to do so in the future."

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25785683-12377,00.html