SUMMIT WITH CHINA STILL POSSIBLE, U.S. SAYS

The International Herald Tribune, wednesday 20 November 1996

Reuters

BEIJTNG - U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher said Tuesday that the imprisonment of the dissident Wang Dan would not he an impediment to a U.S.-China summit meeting. The comment, as he arrived for his first visit to Beijing since an unsuccessful trip in 1994, was a reflection of a change in U.S. policy: The Clinton administration has downgraded human rights as it seeks to mend ties with China and press a broad agenda. Mr. Christopher also said that in talks Wednesday with President Jiang Zemin and other leaders he would urge China to halt nuclear cooperation with Iran and to persuade North Korea to maintain a freeze on its nuclear program. This would include asking China to cancel a deal to provide Iran, which Washington considers a sponsor of terrorism, with a uranium conversion facility that could help Teheran produce fuel for nuclear bombs, officials said. "I expect I'll be discussing human rights and the rule of law issues at all of my meetings," Mr. Christopher said. "With respect to the meetings

at the highest levels," he added, "I'd emphasize the importance of the overall relationship, the fact that we need to have a steady and comprehensive approach to the relationship that's not rooted in a single issue." The United-States and China have already announced plans to hold a series of high-level meetings, including an exchange of summit talks in their respective capitals. President Bill Clinton and Mr. Jiang could give a timetable when they meet in Manila on Sunday.