DATE=9/9/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON-CHINA (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-253679
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Presisdent Clinton, preparing to depart for
the Pacific-Rim summit in New Zealand, says he hopes
his meeting there with Chinese President Jiang Zemin
can put the two countries back on a constructive
course in political and economic relations. VOA's
David Gollust reports from the White House.
Text: Mr. Clinton's meeting with President Jiang
Saturday in Auckland will be the first top-level
discussion between the two countries since the
mistaken U-S bombing of the Chinese embassy in
Belgrade during the Kosovo conflict, and the recent
renewal of China-Taiwan tensions.
The United States has given China four-and-a-half
million dollars in compensation for the embassy
attack, in which three Chinese nationals were killed
and 20 others wounded. In a talk with reporters as he
prepared to leave for New Zealand, Mr. Clinton made
clear he would like to see the two sides open a new
page in their relationship:
/// Clinton Actuality ///
We've done our best to do what I think is the
honorable and decent thing in the wake of the
terrible accident involving the embassy in
Belgrade. And we have made it clear in the
recent tensions between Taiwan that we still
strongly support the one-China policy and the
so-called `three no's.' But we also believe
that any differences between them should be
resolved in a peaceful manner. And we feel very
strongly about it. And I hope that those things
and the passage of time will permit us to resume
constructive conversations.
/// End Act ///
The President said he specifically would like to see
the resumption, and successful conclusion, of U-
S/Chinese trade talks that would clear the way for
China's entry in the World Trade Organization.
The talks were near an agreement earlier this year but
broke down in April as the Administration pushed for
additional market-opening concessions from China that
would satisfy Congressional critics of the pending
deal.
Mr. Clinton said bringing Beijing into the W-T-O
framework would be good for China, the United States
and the world economic system. U-S officials hope an
agreement can be struck by the end of this month so
that Beijing can join in a new round global trade
talks to be launched at December conference in
Seattle, Washington.
Mr. Clinton also said under questioning that he was
prepared to raise with President Jiang a State
Department report issued Thursday that says Chinese
citizens who engage in unregistered religious activity
can face harassment and detention.
The Chinese government denied mistreating citizens
because of religious beliefs, with a spokesman saying
that if members of unofficial churches were jailed, it
was because of criminal activity. (Signed)
NEB/DAG/TVM/PT
09-Sep-1999 20:42 PM LOC (10-Sep-1999 0042 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
