From: "Peter L. Sroufe" 
Subject: SNET: liar "Loses.... Voice on Massacre Anniversary"
Date: 6 Jun 1999 00:21:14 -0400
To: "Snetnews" 


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The Sound of Silence

 Administration Loses Its Voice on Massacre Anniversary

Pro-democracy demonstrators link arms to hold back angry crowds from chasing
a group of retreating soldiers near the Great Hall of the People in Beijing,
China, in this June 3, 1989, file photo. (Mark Avery/AP Photo)


By Josh Gerstein
ABCNEWS.com
W A S H I N G T O N, June 4  Ten years ago, tanks thundered across
Tiananmen Square and the sound of gunfire echoed through the streets of
Beijing as Chinas government cracked down on pro-democracy activists.
     Today, there is calm in Beijing. And an eerie quiet prevails here in
Washington as well.
     President Clinton didnt do anything to commemorate the occasion.
Spokespersons for the vice president, the first lady and the secretary of
state could not cite any observance they planned.
     The presidents only public reference to the event came in a written
statement issued by the White House on another subject, normal trade
relations (formerly known as most-favored-nation status) for China.
     A decade ago at Tiananmen, when Chinese citizens courageously
demonstrated for democracy, they were met by violence from a regime fearful
of change, the statement read.
Muted Response
Asked today about who in the administration was marking the anniversary,
White House press secretary Joe Lockhart didnt cite any particular events.
But he said the president has been outspoken on the need for greater human
rights in China.
     The U.S. thinks that China owes their own people  the world  a full
accounting of what happened, Lockhart said. Those that are being held for
purely political  their political beliefs should be released, whether it
has to do with Tiananmen Square or any other political issue.
     At the State Department, spokesman James Rubin read a brief statement
recalling the Tiananmen events: We recall those who spoke out for the
values of freedom and democracy and again ask China to right the wrongs of
Tiananmen.
     But aside from those words, top administration officials, who never
miss a chance to talk about vital issues like car-seat design or the
wordiness of government forms, seem to have been struck mute on this 10th
anniversary of the massacre.
     In the past, the president has struck some blows on behalf of human
rights in China. His press conferences with Chinese leaders have opened them
to public questioning about the events that unfolded there in June 1989. And
during Clintons visit to China last year, he publicly criticized his hosts
human rights policies. The historic public dialogue was even carried on
Chinese state TV.

Bad Timing
So why such a low-key approach now?
     Observers point to the confluence of several events: The controversy
over alleged Chinese nuclear espionage, tension with China in the wake of
NATOs bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade, and the June 3 deadline
for renewal of Chinas trade privileges with the United States.
     I think its timing. Its all timing, said Mike Jendrezejczyk, the
Asia director for Human Rights Watch.
     Another advocate, William Schulz of Amnesty International, said the
White House feared widespread discussion of the Tiananmen anniversary would
call attention to the fact that Chinas human rights record hasnt improved.
     The administration is almost as uneasy and embarrassed by the
anniversary as the Chinese government, Schulz said. The administration has
attempted to sell the American people that economic engagement will show an
improvement in human rights. That policy has failed, he said.
     For his part, Lockhart acknowledged today that there has been some
backsliding by the Chinese on human rights.

Bomb Fallout
Critics in Congress faulted the administration for being too fearful of
offending the Chinese.
     Theyre obviously skittish because of the embassy bombing, said Anne
Huiskes, a foreign policy aide to Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va.
     Wolf and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., are hosting an event next week to
promote an exhibit of photographs of the Tiananmen protests. Their offices
said they didnt expect anyone from the administration to attend. Pelosi and
Republican presidential candidate Gary Bauer attended a conference convened
at Harvard earlier this week to discuss the Tiananmen incident and its
aftermath. A Chinese dissident who organized the event said Vice President
Al Gore was invited but did not respond to the invitation.
     Human rights activists also said they hadnt seen any executive branch
officials at Tiananmen-related events around the country. A candlelight
vigil was to take place at the Chinese Embassy in Washington tonight.
     Most of the administrations China critics oppose the presidents
decision to seek another renewal of normal trade status between the United
States and China. But Huiskes said the trade debate shouldnt cause the
White House to avoid public discussion of Chinas problems.
     You want to engage China? Fine. You should also engage the dissidents
at the same time, she said.
     One activist said that the administrations decision to take a pass on
Tiananmen observances would prompt questions.
     The American people want to know: Is the issue off the agenda?
Jendrezejczyk asked.
     Despite the lack of public observances, the White House maintains that
its pressing the issue hard.
     We continue to take the opportunity every day in every way we can to
make that case, Lockhart said.



Bard

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