THE EU now appears certain to put down a resolution condemning China's human rights record at next month's UN Commission of Human Rights meeting in Geneva.
Although French reservations prevented a decision at yesterday's meeting of foreign ministers, diplomatic sources say that an overwhelming mood of support for such a move was strengthened by indications from the US during the meeting that it would co sponsor the resolution.
French sources were saying that more time was needed, but diplomatic sources expressed disappointment that delay would project an impression of indecision on the part of the EU.
The Dutch Foreign Minister, Mr Hans van Mierlo, on behalf of the presidency, told ministers that he had received a call from Beijing indicating that the US Secretary of State, Ms Madeleine Albright, on a visit to China, had failed to receive any reassurances and was now prepared to back a common resolution.
Ministers are concerned at the continued failure of the Chinese to sign up to key human rights conventions, the use of slave labour and the death penalty, and the treatment of national minorities.
The British expressed specific worries over indications from Beijing that it intends to repeal rights of assembly and association in Hong Kong when the colony reverts to Chinese rule this summer.
The Minister for European Affairs, Mr Gay Mitchell, who represented Ireland at the meeting, said that a failure to go ahead with the resolution would send completely the wrong signal to China.
Diplomats were also confident that differences over a common position on Cyprus accession talks would be ironed out overnight. Greece has objected to text which refers to negotiations eventually involving representatives of both communities as the EU does not recognise the Turkish imposed government of northern Cyprus.
Officials stressed that there was no question of giving equal status to the north and that talks would begin initially with Nicosia alone, as agreed, six months after the end of the Inter Governmental Conference.
Ministers noted the formation at the World Trade Organisation of a disputes panel to adjudicate on the Helms Burton dispute with the US, but expressed the hope that bilateral talks with the US would continue.
. The Japanese Prime Minister, Mr Ryutaro Hashimoto, told Ms Albright yesterday in Tokyo that he expected no major change in China after the death of the paramount leader, Deng Xiaoping. A Japanese Foreign Ministry official said that Mr Hashimoto said Deng's death had been "factored in" and that he anticipated no major change in China.
