[Greens-Media] Brown challenges Rudd on Tibet

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Monday, 7 April 2008

Brown challenges Rudd on Tibet

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown says Prime Minister Kevin Rudd should
be prepared to stay away from the Beijing Olympics, if there is no
breakthrough for Tibet.

"Mr Rudd has said his decision will depend on his domestic diary. That's
nonsense," Senator Brown said. 

"He is leaving his diary open to go to Beijing in August and in the face
of world focus on Tibet his decision will be, and will be seen to be,
based on the politics of the Olympics. This is why it is so important
that he persuade President Hu to meet the Dalai Lama between now and
August."

"I am not in favour of an athletic boycott, but I am in favour of a
political boycott if Beijing continues to behave badly," Senator Brown
said.

"The overnight protests in London show how potent the Olympics will be
in releasing decades of international frustration with China's military
occupation of Tibet. It's obviously likely we'll see peaceful protests
when the Olympic torch relay comes to Canberra later this month,"
Senator Brown said.

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603  




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Ebony Bennett
Media Adviser
Office of Greens Senator Bob Brown
Mobile: 0409 164 603
Ph: (02) 6277 3170
Fax: (02) 6277 3185	

Visit Bob's new myspace site at:
www.myspace.com/bobbrowngreens