Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

05 June 1998

TEXT: RESOLUTION ON CLINTON'S PROPOSED TIANANMEN VISIT

(H. Con. Res. 285 asks Clinton to reconsider visit) (450)
Washington -- The U.S. House of Representatives has approved H. Con.
Res. 285, a resolution calling upon President Clinton to reconsider
his decision to be formally received in Tiananmen Square during his
upcoming visit to China.
"The President should reconsider his decision to be formally received
in Tiananmen Square until the Government of the People's Republic of
China acknowledges the Tiananmen Square massacre, pledges that such
atrocities will never happen again, and releases those Chinese
students still imprisoned for supporting freedom and democracy that
day," the resolution reads.
The measure now goes before the Senate.
Following is the text of the resolution:
(begin text)
105th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. CON. RES. 285
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the Congress that the President of the United
States should reconsider his decision to be formally received in
Tiananmen Square by the Government of the People's Republic of China.
HCON 285 EH
105th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. CON. RES. 285
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Whereas 9 years ago on June 4, 1989, thousands of Chinese students
peacefully gathered in Tiananmen Square to demonstrate their support
for freedom and democracy;
Whereas it was with horror that the world witnessed the response of
the Government of the People's Republic of China as tanks and military
units marched into Tiananmen Square;
Whereas Chinese soldiers of the People's Republic of China were
ordered to fire machine guns and tanks on young, unarmed civilians;
Whereas `children were killed holding hands with their mothers',
according to a reliable eyewitness account;
Whereas according to the same eyewitness account, `students were
crushed by armored personnel carriers';
Whereas more than 2,000 Chinese pro-democracy demonstrators died that
day, according to the Chinese Red Cross;
Whereas hundreds continue to languish in prisons because of their
belief in freedom and democracy;
Whereas 9 years after the massacre on June 4, 1989, the Government of
the People's Republic of China has yet to acknowledge the Tiananmen
Square massacre; and
Whereas, being formally received in Tiananmen Square, the President
would bestow legitimacy on the Chinese Government's horrendous actions
of 9 years ago: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
That it is the sense of the Congress that the President should
reconsider his decision to be formally received in Tiananmen Square
until the Government of the People's Republic of China acknowledges
the Tiananmen Square massacre, pledges that such atrocities will never
happen again, and releases those Chinese students still imprisoned for
supporting freedom and democracy that day.
Passed the House of Representatives June 4, 1998.
Attest:
Clerk.
(end text)