By Tamás S Kiss
ALTHOUGH there was a standing ovation when Hungarian President Ferenc Mádl and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao shook hands after signing seven bi-lateral agreements, the Chinese visit was marred when a Chinese diplomat attacked peaceful demonstrators demanding human rights for Tibet from China.
Endre Kormos, spokesman for the Budapest Police (BRFK) confirmed reports that on June 10 an assault took place, explaining that the demonstrators had permission and were holding flags and balloons at Hôsök tere when a Chinese diplomat attacked them. He added that police intervened and the issue was reported to the Foreign Ministry.
Under diplomatic immunity, the diplomat in question is under international protection.
Tibor Hendrey, leader of the movement called Tibetet Segítô Társaság (Association to Help Tibet) said that before they were attacked 20 demonstrators had been protesting in front of the Museum of Fine Arts to raise the attention of the Chinese delegation to human rights.
On Saturday morning a policeman ripped a Tibetan flag out of Hendrey’s hands. Hendrey said that they were starting a legal procedure against the police who had been “rather uncooperative and behaved in a hostile manner. Police were constantly asking me for my documents,” said Hendrey.
Imre Kardos, spokesman for the Republican Guard, told Hungarian television that his colleague’s actions were justified as they believed that the demonstrator could have thrown the flag at the Chinese delegation convoy and caused an accident. He added that the policeman taking action was praised as such atrocities could jeopardize bi-lateral talks and did not serve the welcome of the host nation. Hendrey said that prior to the visit his organization had turned to Prime Minister Péter Medgyessy with a letter requesting his help to raise the Tibet human rights issue with the China’s delegation. Zoltán Gál, said that Medgyessy had “studied” the letter but in the meeting with the Chinese President, the PM discussed bi-lateral economic issues.
In August last year, when Medgyessy visited China, Fidesz MP Mihály Balla said that he had hoped the PM would have discussed human rights and religious freedom issues. He added that previous premier (and Fidesz leader) Viktor Orbán had rejected a Chinese visit citing to human rights issues. In an exclusive interview with The Budapest Sun in October 2000 the Dalai Lama, who has visited Hungary several times, said that “Hungary is the nation from the former Eastern Bloc which is most in touch with Tibet, its history and its religion.”
Regarding the successful bilateral agreements signed during the visit, a joint statement was issued but the press allowed no questions. The agreements were signed after 60 minutes of talks held between Mádl and Hu (who was on the second leg of a four-nation trip) aimed at what Mádl called “deepening partnership on friendship and cooperation, mutual understanding and promoting bilateral cooperation”.
The two presidents talked about increasing bi-lateral relations and the common battle against international terrorism, for which they also signed joint agreements.
Hu was quick to remark that with his current visit China’s relationship with Hungary had entered a new era. Hu proposed that Hungary increase top-level exchanges to enhance economic, cultural, education, environmental protection, transportation, science and technology cooperation.
“China invites Hungarian firms to participate in developing western China and the ailing industrial areas,” Hu said in his speech.
“We also invite Hungarian firms to participate in the construction projects for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.”
