Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=08/29/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CHINA JAPAN GERMWAR S

NUMBER=2-293488

BYLINE=JIM RANDLE

DATELINE=BEIJING

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: China is demanding Japan take responsibility for conducting germ warfare during World War Two. As V-O-A's Jim Randle reports from Beijing, the call comes after a Japanese court this week rejected a civil suit by 180 Chinese who say their relatives were killed by Japan's experiments.

TEXT: Ada Jiang of the Chinese Foreign Ministry says it is time for Japan to own up to biological warfare experiments in China during World War Two.

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She says it is time for the Japanese side to assume historical responsibility.

Plaintiff Wang Xuan says the law is supposed to be on the side of those wronged.

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At least we need to have our pains and sufferings recognized.

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The plaintiffs sought 80-thousands dollars in compensation each, along with an apology. They are appealing the verdict.

The court rejected the claim, saying individuals can not sue sovereign governments. But it is the first court ruling to acknowledge Japan did carry out biological warfare with cholera, bubonic plague, typhoid and anthrax that historians say killed thousands of people in China. (Signed)

NEB/HK/JR/JO