WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 -- Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is pledging to 'tell it like it is to the Chinese' when it comes to disagreements over human rights and Hong Kong. While stressing the 'multifaceted' relationship between China and the United States, Albright has taken a far more combative and vocal approach than former Secretary of State Warren Christopher, who seemed almost timid when questioned publicly about Beijing's sorry human rights record.
Albright says, 'I will tell it like it is on the human rights issues and on Hong Kong to the Chinese when I meet them. And we have made it clear that what happens in Hong Kong is very important to the overall relationship.' Albright, who earned a reputation as an in-your-face diplomat as the administration's U.N. representative, is not the first senior American official to promise a tough approach toward China. President Clinton vowed 'not to coddle China's aging dictators' during his first campaign, but shelved that approach when he realized Beijing couldn't be ignored as a world power. Disagreements between Washington and Beijing over government- sanctioned abuse will come to a head when the State Department publishes its annual human rights report, which American officials say will be 'very critical' of China. Albright said during her Senate confirmation the United States would sponsor a U.N. resolution condemning China's record if there has been no improvement by the human rights conference in March. China's handling of Hong Kong after it reverts to Beijing's rule will also be an important test of Sino-U.S. relations. ----
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