November, 10. Dear Colleagues, it is a great honor for me to call for your support for the nomination of Wei Jingsheng for The Nobel Peace Prize. Wei Jingsheng is China's most celebrated fighter for human rights. He and his colleagues initiated the "Beijing Spring" in the late 1970s, and their calls for democracy and human rights coalesced into what became known as the "Democracy Wall Movement." In a wall poster which became known around the world, Wei bravely wrote that the "Four Modernizations" of industry, science, defense and agriculture would not succeed without a fifth: democratization. For daring to say publicly what others only whispered in private, Wei was arrested and thrown into prison in 1979 by the Chinese Communist Authorities. Released after serving fourteen and a half years of his fifteen years sentence, Wei Jingsheng had not weakened in the slightest in his commitment to his principles. His courage and spirit encouraged a generation of activists in their struggle for basic rights and freedom

in China. In today's world, such a commitment as Wei's is even more vital, and the principles he sacrificed so much to defend are even more important. As economics increasingly becomes the first and even the only concern in international affairs, human rights is being displaced as a basic principle. In particular, in relation to China, the "theory" that economic modernization will lead inevitably to democracy is being widely promoted, in what can only be considered as an irresponsible attempt at selfdeception. History has taught us that a regime which combines economic power with a blatant disregard for human rights will usually result only in fascism. For this reason, Wei Jingsheng's words are particularly apt today. Now is the time to repeat and repeat again what he said about the need for democracy and basic rights; now is the time to recognize Wei's unique historical contribution; and now is the time to give your support to Wei, who has been in detention again since April 1 for continuing to exercise hi

s fundamental right to freedom of expression after his release from prison. Please join us in nominating for the Nobel Peace Prize one of the great Chinese historical figures of this century, Wei Jingsheng!

Sincerely, Fang Lizhi, Professor of Physics, The University of Arizona. (EuroTibet News nr.5)