Welcome to Dr Lincoln's blog

Welcome for visiting my blog. Hope you enjoy the visit and always welcome back again. Have a nice day!

2009-07-20

Stern Hu forgotten by Rudd?

Comments on Glenn Milne “Stern Hu forgotten in Kevin Rudd's hopeless UN quest”, 20/07/2009, http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25805431-33435,00.html

It is understandable that the PM has been seeking higher status for him and for Australia. The idea, though having an element of vanity, is not too bad itself. Most people do, not to mention politicians and government heads, like Rudd.

However, a wish is one thing and whether it is practically realisable or not is another. Hence one needs to be realistic about that kind of quest and make the most appropriate decisions on what to pursue and whether to pursue for a UNSC seat, if one is bound by the normal cost and benefit analysis.

However, there is a significant difference in this case. The costs to bear in such a pursuit are tax payers’ money, while the results may enhance the PM’s personal profile. So why not to pursue it, especially many Australians may feel proud too?

But to the issue that the article’s title suggests, I don’t share that conviction as Milne does. Unfortunately many Australians believe that Rudd has not done enough for Mr Stern Hu, as if it would assist his release from China. That is an interesting and understandable thought, given Rudd’s background and past involvement in China. But, a series of events meant that Rudd has been in a helpless situation in dealing with this specific issue.

In fact, Rudd has probably done too much already, when he warned China that the world is watching the Stern Hu case when he was with former US vice president Mr Gore. That open comments is likely to hinder rather than help the Stern Hu case, because China is unlikely to take that very kindly.

The intervention by the US secretary of commerce was unhelpful either. That intervention is likely to be seen by the Chinese as Australia’s use of the US to pressure China, whether Australia had discussed the issue with the US or not. Unless China can be bullied by Australia or the US, those actions are unlikely to help.

Kevin Rudd did not and has not forgotten Stern Hu. The real question is whether he understands the Chinese enough to take the most appropriate actions that can really help Stern Hu.

That remains to seen and will continue to be a test.

No comments:

Post a Comment