DATE=3/20/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=E-U / CHINA (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-260391
BYLINE=RON PEMSTEIN
DATELINE=BRUSSELS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The European Union has joined the United
States in criticizing China's human-rights record, but
reserved judgment on whether it will support an
American resolution on China at the United Nations
Human Rights Commission. Ron Pemstein reports from
Brussels.
TEXT: European Union foreign ministers have agreed on
strong language saying the Union is deeply concerned
by China's continuing and widespread restrictions on
fundamental freedoms. The statement mentions China's
restrictions on freedom of assembly, expression and
association.
The European Union says it is dismayed by harsh
sentences the Chinese government has imposed on pro-
democracy activists, and the severe measures it has
taken against minority groups in Tibet and Xinjiang.
The statement also expresses concern about arrests and
harsh sentences for members of the Falun Gong movement
in China, and restrictions on members of Christian
churches.
Despite the strong words in Monday's statement, the
European ministers say they will work for a negotiated
approach to the China question at the U-N Human Rights
Commission. Portuguese foreign minister Jaime Gama
(speaking through an interpreter) says the European
Union does not have its own resolution to present (to
the U-N commission):
/// GAMA ACT W/ INTERPRETER ///
We did not adopt a resolution today nor did we
adopt a draft resolution. What we did adopt was
a position and the procedure will take its
course in the commission on human rights in
Geneva.
/// END ACT ///
The United States is trying to get the U-N Human
Rights Commission (which is in session in Geneva until
April 28th,) to pass a resolution criticizing China's
record on human rights. U-S Secretary of State will
address the commission on the issue this week.
The statement passed in Brussels Monday says the
European Union will try in Geneva to get a more
focussed and result-oriented dialogue on human rights
with the Chinese government.
The European Commissioner for external affairs, Chris
Patten:
/// PATTEN ACT ///
We have a human-rights dialogue with China. It
hasn't frankly made as much progress as we would
have liked. We hope that it makes more
progress.
/// END ACT ///
However, there is little hope of progress for the
European dialogue on human-rights dialogue if the
European Union supports the American resolution in
Geneva.
At their meeting the ministers did not discuss China's
recent threats against Taiwan. However, Minister
Gama, speaking for the rotating presidency of the
European Union, says the E-U appreciates Taiwan's
democracy, and hopes China and Taiwan will resolve
their differences peacefully. (Signed)
NEB/RDP/WTW
20-Mar-2000 17:08 PM EDT (20-Mar-2000 2208 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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