World Tibet Network News Saturday, June 27, 1998

By John F. Harris

Washington Post Staff Writer

Saturday, June 27, 1998; Page A01

BEIJING, June 27 (Saturday) - President Clinton ignored a storm of criticism this morning by reviewing People's Liberation Army troops at an official welcoming ceremony in Tiananmen Square, but then rebuked his Chinese hosts by condemning the government's lethal suppression of pro-democracy dissidents here nine years ago. The day began with the vivid image of Clinton receiving a red-carpet greeting from Chinese President Jiang Zemin on the same vast plaza where Chinese troops crushed student demonstrations in 1989, both men gazing on as goose-stepping soldiers marched past. Three hours later, Clinton sought to balance what his own advisers acknowledged was unfortunate symbolism by addressing the crackdown in polite but blunt language at a joint news conference, triggering a remarkable series of exchanges with Jiang on democracy and human rights that was broadcast live on Chinese television.

"For all of our agreements, we still disagree about the meaning of what happened then," Clinton said. "I believe, and the American people believe, that the use of force and the tragic loss of life was wrong. I believe, and the American people believe, that freedom of speech, association and religion governments."After Jiang said that the Tiananmen crackdown had been necessary for China's stability, Clinton responded by arguing that "I believe stability in the 21st century will require high levels of freedom. "Trying to move past that continuing sore in the relationship, Clinton and Jiang also announced several arms control and other agreements that they said illustrate the benefits of a warmer, more cooperative relationship between the world's most powerful nation and its most populous.

"China and the United States are partners, not adversaries," said Jiang, who added that, from his nation's view, U.S. non-interference in China's relations with Taiwan is "the most important" issue in the relationship. In other subjects at a wide-ranging news conference, Jiang dismissed as "absurd and ridiculous" and "sheer fabrications" reports under investigation by the Justice Department that China may have tried to buy influence in Washington with surreptitio us campaign contributions. Clinton spoke out on behalf of Tibet, saying that "many Tibetans still revere the Dalai Lama as their spiritual leader." He urged Jiang to open dialogue with the exiled Tibetan leader. Saying he had met the Dalai Lama, Clinton said, "I believe him to be an honest man . . . and if he had a conversation with President Jiang, they would like each other very much."cut ...