THE GLOBE AND MAIL News Wire, Thursday, August 28, 1997

VICTORIA China's President Jiang Zemin is unable to accept an honorary doctorate this fall from the University of Victoria, the federal Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday.

The university's senate voted last week to confer the degree on Mr. Jiang at a special convocation while he was in Canada for the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation Summit in Vancouver.

The decision sparked an uproar, including threats of a demonstration by students and criticism from prominent Chinese dissident Harry Wu.

Foreign Affairs informed the university late Wednesday that Mr. Jiang has other commitments that will prevent him from attending the special convocation planned for Nov. 26.

"I had real hope the president of China might have seized upon the opportunity to announce some fundamental changes in human rights in China," said a disappointed university president David Strong.

But he also admitted feeling some "relief that the campus won't be disrupted (by opponents of the university's decision)."

The proposed award angered student groups and some faculty, who linked Mr. Jiang to the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre of pro-democracy protesters and other human rights abuses.

But Mr. Strong, convinced Mr. Jiang is a moderate leader who deserves recognition for economic and civil reforms, said he still supports the decision to award Mr. Jiang the honorary degree.

Michael Conlon, president of the university's Graduate Students' Society, said "while we're happy Mr. Jiang is not going to be coming on to our campus, it's disappointing the president still feels he made the right decision."

The university senate voted to honor Mr. Jiang for his efforts to modernize Communist China but Wu said Wednesday that Mr. Jiang's record is nothing to be proud of.

Mr. Wu escaped from China and now is an American citizen but frequently sneaked back into the country to investigate prison conditions. Mr. Jiang jailed a thousand students during his tenure as mayor of Shanghai, he said.

"(He) arrested people and then handed them to the court, sent them to death, sent them to prison," said Mr. Wu. "This is Jiang Zemin's job."

Mr. Strong said since he became president, Mr. Jiang has fought hardliners to bring reforms and academic freedoms to China. Conferring a degree sends a positive signal, he said.

"It does boil down to boycott or engage, which way is best to promote human rights," he said. "The University of Victoria senate voted for this invitation based on its belief that this would be the best way to promote human rights."

But Mr. Wu doubted Mr. Jiang has any intention of improving human rights in China.

"Can you convert or convince a tiger to become a vegetarian?" he asked.

Wu wrote the university condemning the decision and questioning whether it is gaining politically or financially by it.

Mr. Strong admitted Liberal Senator Jack Austin approached the university with the idea, but said there was no pressure from Ottawa.