World Tibet Network News Saturday, Jul 04, 1998

Friday July 3, (Reuters) - President Clinton strode a red carpet at Tiananmen Square, then called the murderous 1989 crackdown tragic and wrong. He asked Americans to remember their own flawed history and "respect the enormous challenges China has faced in trying to move forward." Chinese President Jiang Zemin's rebuttal on Tiananmen was unapologetic: Without the People's Liberation Army's "resolute measures," China would not enjoy stability now. Clinton totes home a souvenir terra cotta warrior head and historic snaps hots of himself appearing uncensored on Chinese talk radio and with Jiang on state TV. But there are no photos of the president with Chinese dissidents or human rights activists. Did his nine days in China - no matter how warm the handshakes, how a we some the sights - salve nine years of American hurt over Tiananmen or pry loose 49 years of communist repression?

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., sniffed that any buzz about Clinton making a breakthrough on human rights "demonstrates just how low the expectations were for this trip." Clinton countered that democracy activists in Hong Kong said the mere fact that his exchange with Jiang was broadcast across China "might have a bigger impact over the long run on the human rights picture than anything else that happened here." Other highlights of Clinton's China scrapbook: Clinton called it the biggest surprise of his trip - the wide and uncensored broadcast on government-controlled media of his news conference with Jiang, his speech at Peking University and a full hour of call-in chat on Shanghai People's Radio. "I did not anticipate being able to have that sort of open, sweeping communication with the Chinese people," Clinton beamed. David Brown, senior associate at the Asia Pacific Policy Center in Washington, said the press conference was more remarkable to the Chinese, only the second time one of their leaders allowed hi

mself to be publicly questioned. Clinton, out of concern for their safety he said, turned his back on dissidents' pleas for an audience even as Chinese police tightened their grip.

Secretary of State Madeleine Albright argued that Clinton talked to dissidents through his televised speeches and interviews. Seven were arrested - and later freed - during Clinton's tour to keep them from making noise. "In China, we have our laws," said Jiang. Clinton said he understood China's desire for stability but asked Jiang, without gaining any commitment, to release political prisoners. "He didn't exert any pressure on Jiang," sighed dissident Bao Ge. Clinton won a symbolic agreement for China and the United States to no longer aim nuclear missiles at each other, though they can be retargeted in a matter of minutes. Clinton called the pact a symbol of growing U.S.-China friendship and said "it should make other countries in the Asia Pacific region relax a little. "He acknowledged defeat in not getting a Chinese commitment to join the worldwide system that prevents the exportation of dangerous missile technology, especially to unstable Third World nations. Clinton worshipped at one of Beijing's eight

government-sanctioned Protestant churches, calling Chinese and Americans "brothers and sisters as children of God." Hillary Rodham Clinton and Albright gave their stamp of approval at anewly restored synagogue in Shanghai. Clinton and Jiang agreed to encourage exchanges among government officials and religious leaders. Administration negotiators tried for months but failed to make headway oneasing trade barriers that limit U.S. access to China's markets and add to the $50-billion-and-growing annual trade deficit. Without market-access agreements, the United States will not permit China's membership in the World Trade Organization.

Jiang called the Taiwan question "most important ... in the interest of a smooth growth of China-U.S. relations." Clinton stunned Taiwan by publicly endorsing China's opposition to Taiwan independence. U.S. diplomats had long made clear the administration does not support Taiwan's membership in organizations such as the United Nations and World Health Organization, which require statehood, but Clinton's pronouncement, standing at Jiang's side, was a public message that "should have been delivered in Taipei, not Beijing," said Brown, of the Asia Pacific Policy Center. Teased by Clinton that Tibet is a cultural treasure and the Dalai Lama a likable fellow, Jiang opened the door to talks with the exiled religious leader - as long as he publicly acknowledges Tibet is "an inalienable part of China" and Taiwan is a Chinese province. Official China had previously taken a position of hostility toward the popular Dalai Lama. Clinton's visit, the first by an American president since George Bush in February 1989, appea

red to finally repair the breakdown in presidential-level relations after Tiananmen Square. Clinton and Jiang, who had met seven times since 1993, took giddy turns with a baton directing the People's Liberation Army band at a state dinner, easily indulged each other's input at their 70-minute press conference and agreed to hold regular summits. "Our friendship may never be perfect," Clinton said. "But I hope it will last forever."

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