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MDHIAN 2167
7. TODAY'S PEOPLE'S DAILY EDITORIAL MAY INDICATE THAT A CRACKDOWN
IS COMING, BUT THE REAL EVIDENCE IS STILL LACKING. SO FAR THE AUTHORITIES HAVE HANDLED THE RALLIES AND PROTESTS IN A LOW-KEY MANNER, WHICH, AS WE HAVE SAID, HAS HELPED TO DEFUSE THEM, AND HAS PERHAPS DISSIPATED POSSIBLE SUPPORT FROM WORKERS AND OTHERS
OUTSIDE THE STUDENT BODY. A HEAVY HANDED CRACKDOWN COULD WELL HAVE THE EFFECT OF RALLYING SUPPORT TO THE STUDENTS, WHICH IS THE LAST
THING THE AUTHORITIES WANT.
8.
IF THE AUTHORITIES CAN CONTINUE TO BE RESTRAINED NO FURTHER ACTION MAY BE REQUIRED. WE HAVE REPORTED (PEKING TELNO 694, PARA 2) ONE DISAGREEMENT AMONG STUDENTS AT PEKING UNIVERSITY.
PEOPLE'S DAILY AND OTHER PAPERS TODAY NOTE THAT STUDENTS AT QINGHUA UNIVERSITY FAILED TO MEET REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE STATE COUNCIL, THE STATE EDUCATION COMMISSION AND THE BEIJING MUNICIPAL COMMITTEE OF THE CCP TO DISCUSS STUDENT DEMANDS BECAUSE THE
STUDENTS COULD NOT AGREE AMONG THEMSELVES WHO SHOULD REPRESENT
THEM. LETTING THE STUDENTS CONTINUE THEIR ACTIVITIES IN AND AROUND THE CAMPUSES MAY WELL HAVE THE EFFECT OF ALLOWING THE INCIPIENT
DONALD
CAMPAIGN FOR DEMOCRACY'' TO BREAK UP OF ITS OWN ACCORD.
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