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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

USIS Washington File

10 May 2000

Text: Ways and Means Chairman Archer Releases Poll on China PNTR

(Archer: 67 percent say NTR will help China human rights) (550)
Representative Bill Archer (Republican of Texas), a long-time
supporter of granting China permanent Normal Trade Relations (NTR)
status, released the results of a poll that shows 67 percent of
Americans and an even larger 72 percent of Democrats support permanent
NTR status for China.
Archer, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, presented
the poll findings at a May 10 morning meeting of the National
Association of Manufacturers' Tax and Budget Policy Committee where he
spoke with Representative Robert Matsui (Democrat of California).
Matsui is the Clinton Administration's point man for winning the vote
in the House of Representatives for granting permanent NTR status for
China.
Archer said the poll showed Americans support granting Permanent
Normal Trade Relations to China.
The Texas Republican said 67 percent of those surveyed "believe
efforts to improve human rights and environmental conditions in China
would be helped by opening China to trade with the U.S., and that
number includes 72% of self-identified Democrats.
"So it appears that the opponents' campaign of misinformation and fear
may only be influencing Members of Congress, not the American people,"
Archer said.
Following is the text of a press release from Archer's office:
(begin text)
Americans Favor China NTR by 2 to 1 Margin, Says New Poll
The Poll -- 67% of Americans and 72% of Democrats Say
China Trade Will Help Human Rights and Environmental Conditions in
China
Archer Releases Results of New China NTR Poll
WASHINGTON -- Chairman Bill Archer (R-TX) today released the results
of a new poll that shows that Americans overwhelmingly favor normal
trade relations with China. Excerpts of Chairman Archer's prepared
remarks follow (spoken remarks may differ slightly).
"I'm pleased to announce the results of a brand new poll that shows
Americans, by a more than two to one margin, believe that free trade
with China would be in the best interests of the U.S. 75% of Americans
said they believe opening the world's largest consumer market to U.S.
exports would lead to increased jobs in the U.S. And listen to this,
67% believe efforts to improve human rights and environmental
conditions in China would be helped by opening China to trade with the
U.S., and that number includes 72% of self-identified Democrats! So it
appears that the opponents' campaign of misinformation and fear may
only be influencing Members of Congress, not the American people.
In fact, this poll shows that rank and file Democrats -- those
non-union Democrat households that make up almost 80% of the Democrat
party -- support NTR with China by a margin of 62-33%. As we approach
this historic vote in two weeks, make no mistake that Americans are
solidly behind this: they know it's good for jobs, good for human
rights, and good for US-China relations. Now, the only things that can
stop us are partisan politics and special interests, which I hope will
not prevail over the wishes of the American people."
Copies of the poll are available at www.yrock.com
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)



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