ACCESSION NUMBER:213170
FILE ID:EP-103
DATE:02/03/92
TITLE:BUSH, LI PENG HOLD BUSINESSLIKE TALKS (02/03/92)
TEXT:*92013111.POL
*EPF103 02/03/92
BUSH, LI PENG HOLD BUSINESSLIKE TALKS
(Discuss human rights, trade, nuclear issues) (410)
Alexander M. Sullivan
USIA White House Correspondent
United Nations -- President Bush told Chinese Prime Minister Li Peng that
Beijing's human rights record must be improved, Secretary of State Baker
said January 31.
Briefing reporters on Bush's first meeting with a top Chinese leader since
the Chinese government's bloody suppression of pro-democracy demonstrators
in Tiananmen Square, Baker said the president and the prime minister met
for 20 minutes and engaged in a "very businesslike, very serious, direct"
manner.
The two leaders met at the United Nations immediately following the first
summit session of the U.N. Security Council. The Council earlier had heard
Bush declare that the world body must stand with those seeking democracy
and freedom -- even in the face of the "unjust power" of the state.
Baker quoted Bush as telling the prime minister that "The record of the
Chinese government on human rights was insufficient. We would like to see
significant improvement."
Baker told a questioner the "hands-off" stance on human rights enunciated by
Li Peng at the Security Council "is not acceptable under our standards."
The president, Baker said, reviewed agreements on nuclear proliferation and
missile technology reached with China during Baker's visit to Beijing last
year. He said Bush was informed that Beijing will supply a letter spelling
out the undertakings it has assumed under the Missile Technology Control
1egime.
"They said we will receive their letter shortly," he added. "They said their
letter will be responsive" to a letter Baker had written earlier.
Bush told Li Peng, Baker said, that Washington would lift its ban on the
sale of high-speed computers and satellite parts if China keeps its
commitments on proliferation.
"If we can get them to agree to observe the MTCR guidelines," Baker said,
then "we've taken a major step in the proliferation area which is very
significant."
Asked if the Chinese had used the meeting to bolster their standing in the
international community, Baker told reporters to make their own judgments
in the matter.
Baker said the two discussed trade, the Chinese desire to become part of the
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, and nuclear proliferation issues,
as well as human rights.
Bush, he said, told Li Peng that Washington favors admission of both China
and Taiwan to the GATT, depending on Chinese actions regarding pending
trade issues.
NNNN
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
