DATE=1/27/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA / U-S AMBASSADOR (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258480
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The new U-S ambassador to China says expanding
high-level military contacts between the two countries
is crucial if Beijing and Washington are to avoid any
miscalculation in potential confrontations. VOA
correspondent Roger Wilkison reports retired Admiral
Joseph Prueher also says he will pursue human rights
issues in his dealings with Chinese officials but will
not lecture them.
TEXT: Ambassador Prueher told a group of American
reporters Thursday that -after six weeks in Beijing-
he is still trying to become familiar with the
complexities of U-S-China relations.
Mr. Prueher, who retired last year after 35 years in
the U-S Navy, says he is especially hopeful that
military relations between the two countries can be
improved. China suspended military contacts after
NATO accidentally bombed the Chinese embassy in
Yugoslavia last May. Mr. Prueher commanded US Forces
in the Pacific when Washington dispatched two aircraft
carriers to the vicinity of Taiwan in 1996 after China
fired missiles off the island's coast to frighten
voters in Taiwan's first free elections. He says
communication between military leaders is needed to
prevent any misjudgment of intentions.
/// PRUEHER ACTUALITY ///
This stems a lot from what I learned as the
military commander in the Pacific in 1996. When
things were heating up in the lead-up to the
Taiwan elections, I didn't know anybody in China
to talk to. And we had no military relationship
to talk to people in China. We need to have the
ability to have that communication so we don't
make any miscalculation.
/// END ACTUALITY ///
Military contacts between the two countries officially
resumed this week. A high-level delegation of Chinese
officers has been meeting in Washington since Monday
with top U-S defense officials.
Mr. Prueher says he will quietly but steadfastly seek
to bring up human rights questions when meeting with
Chinese officials. But he says he will not preach to
the Chinese.
/// PRUEHER ACTUALITY ///
It's a core part of what the United States is
about, and we will continue to talk about it.
By the same token, I've committed to our host
not to lecture on the subject-that we don't
necessarily come from a record of perfection
where we get to lecture to everybody-and to try
to work this in a constructive way.
/// END ACTUALITY ///
The ambassador says he will concentrate on a wide-
ranging agenda when dealing with human rights instead
of individual cases.
Mr. Prueher says how China copes with change as it
moves toward rule by law, a market economy and
integration with the rest of the world is the big
issue in U-S/China relations. He says he hopes China
adopts to change smoothly and moves toward a society
where democratic principles, open markets and the free
flow of information hold sway.
/// PRUEHER ACTUALITY ///
We hope that China takes the path of successful
nations. I think it's in our interest to try to
help them go along this path. They have to do
it for themselves. A secure, stable and
prosperous China will be a more responsible
global neighbor, which is what we seek.
/// END ACTUALITY ///
Mr. Prueher says -despite their differences over such
issues as Taiwan and human rights-the United States
and China have one overriding common interest: a
secure, stable Asia. (Signed)
NEB/RW/KL
27-Jan-2000 08:18 AM EDT (27-Jan-2000 1318 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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