Document 8 of 39.
Copyright 1998 Associated Press
AP Worldstream
September 11, 1998; Friday
03:44 Eastern Time
SECTION: International news
LENGTH: 372 words
HEADLINE: Democracy activists try to register opposition party in
China
DATELINE: BEIJING
BODY:
Democracy activists trying to register an opposition political party in a
Chinese province said Friday that officials gave them reason to hope they might
succeed.
Dissidents have been trying to register the
China Democracy Party with the government since U.S. President Bill Clinton visited
China in
June. Police in eastern Zhejiang province rounded up 12 democracy campaigners
connected to the group in July.
But Xie Wanjun and Liu Lianjun said in a statement that officials of the Civil
Affairs Ministry in Shandong province on Thursday were more encouraging,
according to accounts from human rights groups. Other activists tried to
register the same party in Hubei province on
Friday and reported they were received in the same courteous manner.
Officials in Shandong told the dissidents their application would be granted if
it met all national laws.
The Hong Kong-based Information Center of Human Rights and Democratic Movement
in China reported that one official showed the Shandong
dissidents a memo saying the government was considering their application.
If approved, it would be the first time that the ruling Communist Party has
allowed an opposition party to be formed since coming to power 49 years ago.
The Hong Kong rights group said officials in Hubei, just like their
counterparts in Shandong, met with the dissidents and explained what conditions
they needed to meet in order to qualify for registration.
''We cautiously appreciate the positive gesture made by the Chinese government
towards the long expected relaxation of the taboo on free association in the
People's Republic of China,'' the Washington-based
Free China Movement Network said in a statement.
Instead of summarily dismissing the application, the government officials told
the activists what additional information was needed, including a statement
about the necessity of organizing such a group, the
Free China Movement Network said.
In their initial
application, the Shandong activists stated the China Democracy Party did not
intend to challenge the leadership position of the Communist Party.
Beijing has long allowed a small number of minor parties, but they have no
power and play a minor supportive role.
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
LOAD-DATE: September 11, 1998
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