Australia's Prime Minister, Mr John Howard, was recently thrown a curveball in a diplomatic visit to China.

Tha Dalai Lama is currently being recieved (not on a political basis) in Australia. He has been welcomed almost unanimously by the general public.

Mr Howard is currently in China, negotiating a deal with Woodside Petroleum to supply China with natural gas, and an unadvertised question was thrown at him regarding Australia's reasons for allowing the Dalai Lama to visit. His response was liquid, but that may be excusable given that he received no warning the question would be asked.

In this situation, what do you think his response should have been?

Honest Johnny Howard was asked why Australia is allowing the Dalai Lama to enter when he represents a seditionist faction in part of China (Tibet, part of China in their opinion). Howie replied with something like "We're grateful that you respect our traditions just as you respect ours." Which in politics means "We don't jump on the political bandwagon about human rights abuses in China and we've been doing business with you for 30 years, so stop bloody whinging."

I've been trying to find a quoted transcript, but I havent had any luck.

My first impression Adam was that he was a little wishy washy... I take it you saw it differently?

I need to read what he said to know for sure, if you can find something i'd appreciate it.