The Death of Realpolitik?

Kevin Rudd this week became the first world leader to visit China and publicly raise human rights abuse issues. While other world leaders have danced around the issue of China's repression of Tibet, Rudd was able to advance the cause of human rights even as he secured trade talks and advanced our country's interests. I don't know what he was like before he joined parliament but it's scary to think his diplomatic skills would have been wasted in Alexander 'buy me a panda, daddy' Downer's DFAT. Rudd's performance on whaling, the China-Tibet, relations with the US and his refusal to compromise any of our interests to be well received by foreign leaders are my ideal for the conduct of our foreign policy. It stands in sharp contrast to the previous government that was willing even to sell its own citizens to foreigners in order to stay in their good books. So far Rudd's only failing has been in not staying out of Israel vs the rest of the middle-east. This oversight, though limited to a statement, is less than I'd hoped.

Typically, our local media just don't get it. Our gaggle of bobble-headed, preening poltroons are the kind of 'journalists' that would have gone to the Allied Powers' meeting in Yalta and devoted their main page to a story titled

"CHURCHILL'S TRENCH COAT: Read what our fashion gurus think!"

These execrable, half-witted children have spent Rudd's entire trip attacking him with made up 'crises'. Most lately over his statements in China. The attacks run the gamut from 'will this hurt our economy' [no, it hasn't. In fact we've won a bit more respect from China] to flat out lies from serial twit and erstwhile editor in exile Dennis Shanahan's 'RUDD IN CHINA: PM pushes trade ahead of rights'. While his former allies were in power they never said so much as boo to China while Dennis fellated them for all he was worth. STFU and retire, bitch.

Leave it to the foreign press to let you know what our PM is actually doing. While the Opposition Orifice continues to run grubby hit-pieces on Therese Rein, the rest of the planet can see how much potential Rudd has.

Kevin Rudd has received a rave review from singer and songwriter KD Lang for his stance on Tibet, while the British press have showered the Prime Minister in glowing praise.

Canadian pop star Lang described Mr Rudd as amazing and fearless for expressing concerns while visiting China about the crackdown in Tibet.

The prime minister told Peking University students there are significant human rights problems in Tibet and brought up the issue in talks yesterday with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

Lang is touring Australia for a series of concerts.

'Aussie rules'

Meanwhile Mr Rudd has received glowing praise in the British press.

In an editorial bearing the headline "Aussie rules", respected newspaper The Independent said it was impressed by Mr Rudd, who left London this week after his first official visit to the UK.

"We were looking forward to Kevin Rudd's term as Australia's Prime Minister, and so far we have not been disappointed," the paper said.

"On the contrary, with his plain speaking, his firm principles as a politician and - a bit of a luxury, this - his fluent Mandarin, Mr Rudd has not only met our expectations, but inspired not a little envy as well."

It was not only Mr Rudd's language skills that earned him accolades.

The editorial also spoke highly of his strong stance on security for the Olympic torch relay in Australia later this month, his plea for China to open dialogue with Tibet and his address to Chinese students on human rights.

"The world needs more leaders like this; we hope he has started as he means to go on," The Independent said.

Mr Rudd's visit to Britain was given limited attention by local media.

SMH

Meanwhile, did you know that Penny Wong attended the same meetings in China as Rudd did? Did you know the foreign minister didn't go? Do you know why? Do you know why her presence is remarkable? (she and the treasurer seem to keep appearing at the same conferences, without Peter Garrett for some reason) Nope, we have no idea, because our media are shit.