DATE=4/18/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA-US-HUMAN RIGHTS (L)
NUMBER=2-261464
BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: China says it will - fight to the finish - a
U-S-sponsored resolution criticizing its human-rights
record. Correspondent Roger Wilkison reports Beijing
says it is confident it will be able to kill debate on
the resolution the United States wants to present to a
U-N human-rights forum in Geneva.
TEXT: The U-S resolution charges China with stepping
up political and religious repression during the past
year. It specifically mentions the quashing of a
budding pro-democracy political party and the harsh
crackdown on the Falun Gong exercise and meditation
group.
But China says it is certain it will be able to halt
debate on its human-rights record through a so-called
no-action motion.
While criticizing Washington for what he called its
confrontational attitude, Chinese Foreign Ministry
spokesman Sun Yuxi - speaking through an interpreter -
says he is confident there will be no debate.
/// INTERPRETER ACT ///
Since the U-S side is prepared to table this
anti-China resolution, then we will fight to the
finish. We have made many efforts in this
regard and I myself am very confident we will
work to have this no-action bill be passed.
/// END ACTUALITY ///
China is counting on its support among developing
countries to kill debate on the resolution. That has
been the case in the past. Such support has prevented
resolutions critical of China's human-rights record
from being voted upon since 1989, when the Chinese
army crushed pro-democracy demonstrations in Beijing.
The U-S resolution urges China to free political
prisoners and allow religious groups to worship
freely. It also calls on China to loosen up on its
crackdown against Falun Gong.
China said (Tuesday, through its state-controlled news
media, that Falun Gong has become a tool for anti-
China elements in the United States to sabotage
China's stability. Mr. Sun repeated that assertion,
but in more diplomatic terms.
/// INTERPRETER ACT ///
Falun Gong is a cult. Some people overseas are
trying to use the Falun Gong politically.
/// END ACT ///
The European Union has declined to co-sponsor the U-S
resolution, but says it will vote against the no-
action motion and in favor of the U-S document if it
comes to a vote. (SIGNED)
NEB/RW/FC/RAE
18-Apr-2000 07:46 AM EDT (18-Apr-2000 1146 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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