World Tibet Network News Friday, June 12, 1998

WASHINGTON, June 11 (AFP) - US President Bill Clinton defended his policy of engagement with China and his upcoming visit to that country, scheduled for June 25-July 3. The following are excerpts from his speech Thursday at the National Geographic Society in Washington. "I'm going (to China) because I think it's the right thing to do for our country. "A stable, open, prosperous China that assumes its responsibilities for building a more peaceful world is clearly and profoundly in our interests.

"We have chosen a different course that I believe to be both principled and pragmatic: expanding our areas of cooperation with China while dealing forthrightly with our differences. "Seeking to isolate China is clearly unworkable ... We would succeed instead in isolating ourselves and our own policy. "... I will work with (Chinese) President Jiang (Zemin) to advance our Asian security agenda, keeping the pressure on India and Pakistan to curb their nuclear arms race, and to commence a dialogue; using the strength of our economies and our influence to bolster Asian economies battered by the economic crisis; and discussing steps we can take to advance peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.

"I will continue to press China on proliferation. I will seek stronger controls on the sale of missiles, missile technology, dual-use products, and chemical and biological weapons. "It is a fool's errand to believe that we can deal with our present and future global environmental challenges without strong cooperation with China. "The licensing of American commercial satellite launches on Chinese rockets was approved by President Reagan, begun by President Bush, continued under my administration for the simple reason that the demand for American satellites far out strips America's launch capacity, and because others, including Russian and European nations, can do this job at much less cost. "It is important for every American to understand that there are strictsafeguards ... to prevent any assistance to China's missile programs."

"I have told President Jiang that when it comes to human rights and religious freedom, China remains on the wrong side of history. Unlike some, I do not believe increased commercial dealings alone will inevitably lead to greater openness and freedom. "...I will take part in an official greeting ceremony in the front of the Great Hall of the People across from Tiananmen Square. "China's leaders -- as I have repeatedly said -- can only move beyond the events of June 1989 when they recognize the reality that what the governmentdid was wrong. "In my meetings with President Jiang and other Chinese leaders, and in my discussions with the Chinese people, I will press ahead on human rights and religious freedom, urging that China follow through on its intention to sign the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, that it release more individuals imprisoned for expressing their opinions, that it take concrete steps to preserve Tibet's cultural, linguistic and religious heritage