Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE= 7-18-2001

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-278392

TITLE=U-S-CHINA TRIAL (L-ONLY)

BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST

DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The United States is urging China to swiftly resolve the case of Washington-based scholar Gao Zhan a permanent U-S resident who is facing trial in Beijing on charges of spying for Taiwan. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

TEXT: The prosecution of Gao Zhan -- a sociologist from Washington's American University -- is one of several recent cases involving Chinese with U-S connections, that have clouded bilateral relations and been raised at the highest political level.

Lawyers for Ms. Gao, who has been detained in China since February, say they have been informed of her indictment on the spy charge and told she will probably be tried in Beijing in the next two weeks.

Her case has been closely followed by U-S officials, because -- among other things after her arrest Chinese authorities temporarily held her five-year-old son. The boy holds U-S citizenship and Chinese authorities did not notify the American embassy in Beijing as required under consular agreements.

At a briefing here, State Department spokesman Philip Reeker said the United States had not yet received any information about Ms. Gao's trial or whether a U-S representative, as requested, would be allowed to attend the proceeding.

He said the United States wants to see the case resolved promptly so she can be reunited with here family:

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What we want to see is resolution of this case for someone who we've taken an interest in. Not only is she a U-S legal, permanent resident, but she's a human being. And she's entitled to human rights, basic human rights, which we hold very important, and we've raised these issues with the Chinese on regular basis.

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Ms. Gao's case resembles, and is connected with, that of Chinese-born U-S citizen Li Shaomin, who was convicted on a charge of spying for Taiwan late last week and ordered deported from China -- though his expulsion has not yet occurred.

Officials here privately are expressing hope for a similar outcome for Ms. Gao, though the case may be more complicated since she only has U-S residency and retains her Chinese citizenship.

In a telephone conversation with Chinese President Jiang Zemin earlier this month, President Bush specifically raised the cases of Ms. Gao and Mr. Li and those of a number of other Chinese-born scholars and others with U-S links who are detained.

Ms. Gao's trial could mar a Beijing visit late this month by Secretary of State Colin Powell, who will be making his first visit to China, at a time when the two countries are trying to patch up relations after their spy-plane confrontation in April.

Spokesman Reeker said human rights issues are sure to be on Mr. Powell's agenda in China. A New York lawyer who is representing Ms. Gao said he expects her trial to open the week of July 30th just after the Secretary of State completes his visit. (Signed)

NEB/DAG/FC