RESTRICTED
154024 MDLIAN 2959
5. LAU SAN-CHING WAS QUOTED AS SAYING THAT EVERYBODY HAD THE RIGHT TO EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS AND THAT IT WAS WRONG FOR THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES TO DETAIN THE GROUP. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE APRIL 5 ACTION GROUP SAID THAT THE CHINESE WORKERS SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO SET UP INDEPENDENT TRADE UNIONS AND GO ON STRIKE. THE DEMONSTRATION OUTSIDE NCNA WAS GIVEN MINOR COVERAGE.
6 =
ONLY 3 PAPERS CARRIED EDITORIAL COMMENT. THE SCMP SAID THERE WOULD BE LITTLE SYMPATHY FOR THE GROUP, QUOTE THEY ASKED FOR TROUBLE, AND THE ONLY PITY IS THAT THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES PLAYED INTO THEIR PUBLICITY SEEKING HANDS SO EASILY UNQUOTE. THE LACK OF PROPER TRADE UNION RIGHTS IN CHINA WAS NOT TO BE CONDONED. BUT THE SITUATION WOULD NOT BE IMPROVED BY THE ANTICS OF THOSE WHO WENT TO PEKING FOR A PHOTO OPPORTUNITY FOLLOWED BY A PRESS CONFERENCE IN HK. THE HK STANDARD SAW THE DEMONSTRATION AS QUOTE AN EAGER ATTEMPT BY AMBITIOUS POLITICIANS TO SEEK VOTES UNQUOTE.
7.
A COMMENTARY INTA KUNG PAO SAID THAT THE GROUP WERE MERELY SEEKING ATTENTION. CHINA HAD HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY, BUT THEY WERE NOT THE SORT PRACTISED IN THE WEST. CHINA COULD ONLY HAVE HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY SUITABLE FOR THE CHINESE SITUATION, I.E. THOSE THAT WOULD NOT AFFECT UNITY AND STABILITY.
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