Amnesty International USA

304 Pennsylvania Ave SE

Washington, DC 20003

July 12, 1995

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA QUESTIONS CLINTON

ON LIFTING BAN ON MILITARY TECHNOLOGY TO CHINA

AIUSA Declares Timing Harmful To Wu's Case

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) today questioned President Clinton's recent decision to lift a ban on the licensing of "encryption technology" to China at a time when China's human rights situation continues to deteriorate. Although the Administration contends that the decision was made for commercial applications, Chinese human rights activists have informed Amnesty International USA that they fear this sensitive military technology may be used to further restrict and monitor their activity.

Amnesty International USA called on the U.S. Congress to hold hearings to explore fully the potential impact of this technology in China. The decision to lift the ban was announced the day before the U.S. learned of Chinese-American human rights activist Harry Wu's detention on June 23. This outrageous act on the part of China further highlights the U.S. government's confused policy towards China.

"The leaders in Beijing will see the U.S. action in lifting the ban on this sensitive military technology as the real message from the Clinton administration rather than its verbal protests after the arrest of Harry Wu," said James O'Dea, Washington Director, AIUSA. "While China continues to thumb its nose at U.S. human rights policy, the U.S. quietly placates this repressive regime."

Amnesty International USA called on the U.S. government to step up its efforts to pressure the Chinese government to release Wu. "Harry Wu is a Prisoner of Conscience and deserves immediate, unconditional release by the Chinese government. Wu is being detained solely for his human rights work," O'Dea said. Amnesty International believes Wu's access to U.S. diplomatic officials to be restricted and inadequate, and remains concerned for his safety and health. "Harry Wu deserves more than bluster. The United States must do more than talk. China will respond only to strong action," O'Dea declared.