Reuters-Fischer defends criticism o

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Subject: Reuters-Fischer defends criticism of Asia on human rights 

Fischer defends criticism of Asia on human rights
04:35 a.m. Mar 29, 1999 Eastern
By Erik Kirschbaum

BERLIN, March 29 (Reuters) - German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer on
Monday rejected Chinese accusations that Europe was acting arrogantly by
criticising human rights abuses in Asia.

Opening the second Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) of foreign ministers, Fischer
said European Union nations had no interest in imposing western values on
Asian nations. But he said improved human rights would promote peace and
stability in Asia.

``An open discussion about human rights is needed,'' Fischer told ministers
from 15 EU states and 10 Asian nations. ``It is neither intervention in
domestic affairs nor western arrogance when we in Europe point to the
importance of human rights.''

Fischer, speaking on behalf of the EU as Germany holds the union's six-month
rotating presidency, said the one-day ASEM foreign ministers' meeting would
not shy away from human rights.

But the second foreign ministers' meeting since ASEM was launched in 1996 is
not expected to produce anything more binding than a communique when it ends
later on Monday.

``We are not in any way at all trying to impose our values on others,'' said
Fischer, who has become increasingly outspoken in his criticism of China's
human rights record.

``It is instead an effort to improve the implementation of international
standards for human rights and to contribute to a peaceful and lasting
development around the world and in Asia.''

China's foreign minister Tang Jiaxuan rejected Fischer's criticism of
violations of human rights in China after the two met in Bonn on Friday, and
invited the German minister to visit China and see the conditions himself.

A separate meeting set for Tuesday of foreign ministers from the EU and
ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) was scrapped because the EU
would not allow Myanmar to attend. The EU has long criticised Myanmar's
human rights record.

Fischer said he believed Asia's financial crisis had been worsened by lack
of respect for basaic rights. Asian nations with a solid democratic
foundation were hurt less by the crisis and were recovering faster than
others, he said.


The foreign ministers will also discuss the crisis in former Yugoslavia,
Russia's economic and political development, the situation on the Korean
peninsula, and Cambodia.

Among financial issues to be discussed are the financial crisis in the Far
East, the euro and the World Trade Organisation. Along with the 15 EU
nations, ASEM is made up of China, Japan, South Korea, Brunei, Indonesia,
Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.