Australian PM opposes Beijing Games boycott

BEIJING (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Wednesday reiterated his opposition to a boycott of the Beijing Games but called on China to solve its "significant" human rights problems in Tibet through dialogue.

China has been rocked by unrest in Tibetan areas since monk-led marches turned violent in the regional capital Lhasa on March 14. Some foreign organizations and politicians have seized on the unrest to press governments to boycott part or all of the August 8-24 Beijing Games.

"Some have called for a boycott of the Beijing Olympics because of recent problems in Tibet. As I said in London on Sunday, I do not agree," Rudd said in a transcript of a speech delivered to students at Peking University on Wednesday.

"I believe the Olympics are important for China's continuing engagement with the world," Rudd said.

"Australia, like most other countries, recognizes China's sovereignty over Tibet. But we also believe it is necessary to recognize there are significant human rights problems in Tibet."

Rudd called for "all parties to avoid violence and find a solution through dialogue," he added.

"We wish to see the year 2008 as one of harmony and celebration, not one of conflict and contention," he said.

Chinese police have detained a total of 953 suspects for involvement in riots in Tibet last month, the Himalayan region's governor said on Wednesday.

Qiangba Puncog, chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region government, told a news conference in Beijing that prosecutors had also issued arrest warrants for 403 of those detained, a step that generally leads to formal prosecution. (Reporting by Chris Buckley; Editing by Ken Wills and Valerie Lee)