Brussels, November 4, 1997

Dear Alan,

thank you for your letter of 27 October 1997. It synthesizes quite well my mood and my analysis. I really think that the Nobel Committee's decision was not the strongest nor the bravest possible one. It certainly was one of the most politically correct.

I don't want to give up, though, because of this defeat. The Transnational Radical Party and Human Rights in China have already launched the campaign for the Nobel Peace Prize 1998. This time we propose a joint candidacy: Wei Jingsheng and Wang Dan. This year we would like to double the number of signatures collected last year, just to give a very strong support to the candidacies. We also should try to address an appeal or a draft resolution to as many local representatives as possible. Of course the main problem remains our lack of financial resources. At the moment we have found the money to mail part of the south american countries and some european ones. And we are preparing some mailing through internet for university professors.

But, as you said, if Wei finds the strength to continue his fight, we also must endure the fight. Are you yourself planning anything on that issue ?

Best regard,

Olivier Dupuis