TNAG-1880-FCO40-2671-Student-demonstrations-and-internal-political-situation-in-C-1989 — Page 90

THE

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The Methodist Conference Leicester 1989

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30 June 1989

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The Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey Howe, MP Foreign and Commonwealth Office Downing Street

London

SW1A 2AL

Dear Sir Geoffrey

Our Conference took careful and prayerful note of recent events in China, and gave unanimous assent to the following resolution:-

"The Conference

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

expresses its profound respect for the courage of the leaders and supporters of the Chinese pro-democracy movement; and its dismay and outrage at the violence which began on 4 June in Beijing;

Deplores the Chinese government's apparent attempt not to reveal the truth about the course of events, and its resort to terror to cow its citizens into submission;

expresses its concern for those detained on trial in China and deplores the application of the death sentence to political prisoners;

looks for substantive evidence that the detention and trial of pro-democracy activists in China is being openly and fairly conducted;

prays for a resumption of the process of dialogue between the Chinese government and the pro-democracy movement at all levels and for continuing creative relationships between China and the international community;

...2

President:

Rev. Dr. John J. Vincent, B.D., S.T.M., D. Theol. 239 Abbeyfield Road Sheffield, S4 7AW

Telephone: (0742) 423438

Vice-President:

Mr. J. Bryan Hindmarsh

4 Park Close

Penrith, Cumbria

CA11 8ND

Telephone: (0768) 64917

Secretary:

Rev. Brian E. Beck, M.A. 1 Central Buildings

Westminster

London, SW1H 9NH.

Telephone: 01 222 8010

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