DATE=6/3/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-250200
TITLE=TIANANMEN / WASHINGTON (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=COLIN LOVETT
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  MEMBERS OF THE FREE CHINA MOVEMENT HAVE GATHERED OUTSIDE 
THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON TO MARK THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF
THE CRACKDOWN ON THE TIANANMEN SQUARE PRO-DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT.  
V-O-A'S COLIN LOVETT REPORTS THE ACTIVISTS  LAUNCHED A NEW APPEAL
FOR POLITICAL REFORMS IN CHINA.

TEXT:

       // ACT OF NAMES BEING READ / ESTABLISH AND FADE //

FOR MORE THAN 10 MINUTES, PARTICIPANTS AT THE RALLY READ THE 
NAMES OF THOSE WHO DIED WHEN CHINESE TROOPS CRUSHED THE 
STUDENT-LED PRO-DEMOCRACY PROTESTS IN 1989.

STANDING IN FRONT OF A MAKE-SHIFT MEMORIAL TO THE VICTIMS OF THE 
CRACKDOWN, THE ACTIVISTS CALLED ON THE WORLD TO REMEMBER THOSE 
WHO SUFFERED IN THE NAME OF FREEDOM.

EXILED DISSIDENT  LIAN SHENGDE, WHO SERVED TWO YEARS IN PRISON 
FOR HELPING LEAD THE 1989 PROTESTS, SAYS IT IS TIME FOR THE 
COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT IN BEIJING TO ADMIT THE CRACKDOWN WAS A 
MISTAKE AND BEGIN INTRODUCING POLITICAL REFORMS.

                         // LIAN ACT //

         ONLY WITH THESE MEASURES CAN THE CHINESE PEOPLE FORGIVE 
         THEIR CRIMES IN 1989.  ONLY WITH THESE MEASURES CHINA 
         CAN HAVE A REAL STABLE SOCIETY.  

                          // END ACT //

MEMBERS OF THE FREE CHINA MOVEMENT ARE ALSO CALLING FOR BEIJING 
TO RELEASE ALL OF IT POLITICAL PRISONERS. THEY NOTE A STEPPED UP 
CAMPAIGN AGAINST ACTIVISTS OVER THE PAST YEAR, PARTICULARLY 
MEMBERS OF THE CHINA DEMOCRACY PARTY.

                       // ACT OF CHANT //

         TEAR DOWN THE GREAT WALL OF HUMAN RIGHTS SUPPRESSION  IN
         CHINA (TEAR DOWN THE WALL) ... TEAR DOWN THAT WALL TODAY
         (TEAR DOWN THAT WALL TODAY) .. GIVE LIBERTY, GIVE 
         DEMOCRACY, GIVE A NEW LIFE TO THE PEOPLE OF CHINA.

                          // END ACT //

// OPT // TIMOTHY COOPER, INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE FREE 
CHINA MOVEMENT, WANTS BEIJING TO HONOR ITS COMMITMENTS UNDER THE 
INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS, WHICH CHINA
SIGNED LAST YEAR.

                        // COOPER ACT //

         WE WANT YOU (CHINA) TO HONOR YOUR HUMAN RIGHTS 
         COMMITMENTS UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW.  THIS IS  NO  
         LONGER STRICTLY AN INTERNAL MATTER. UNDER INTERNATIONAL 
         LAW IT IS A UNIVERSAL MATTER.  YOU ARE NOW SUBJECT TO 
         THE CONDEMNATION OF THE WORLD BECAUSE OF YOUR SIGNATURE 
         ON THAT COVENANT.

                          // END ACT //

THE ACTIVISTS IN WASHINGTON ARE DISAPPOINTED WITH PRESIDENT 
CLINTON'S DECISION TO RENEW NORMAL TRADE RELATIONS WITH CHINA, 
SAYING THE U-S POLICY OF ENGAGEMENT WITH BEIJING SHOULD BE 
CLOSELY LINKED TO IMPROVEMENTS IN HUMAN RIGHTS // END OPT //

OFFICIALS FROM THE CHINESE EMBASSY REFUSE TO DISCUSS THE PROTEST 
IN WASHINGTON.  BEIJING HAS REPEATEDLY SAID IT WILL  NOT  CHANGE 
ITS VERDICT THAT THE 1989 CRACKDOWN WAS NECESSARY TO STOP WHAT IT
CALLED "COUNTER-REVOLUTIONARY" THREAT. (SIGNED)

NEB/CBL/GM

03-Jun-99 4:54 PM EDT (2054 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.