14:06 K. DUTY WALL & ASSOCIATES
P.6
PART I: BUMAN RIGHTS
Human rights concerns have been at the heart of our relationship with the PRC since the tragic events of June 1989. Every high- level meeting since that time has at least touched on human rights issues, and several -- such as the December 1990 visit to China by Assistant Secretary Schifter -- have been devoted exclusively to them. We have consistently stressed to the Chinese leadership that there can be no return to the kind of relationship we enjoyed before 1989 without substantial improvements in China's human rights practices.
Our overall approach on human rights issues has consisted of: Public expression of concern
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President Bush condemned the brutal suppression of demonstrations in Tiananmen Square in June 1989, the first world leader to do so. He declared May 13, 1990 a National Day in support of Freedom and Human Rights in commemoration of the 1989 demonstrations, and issued another statement to mark the anniversary of the crackdown in 1991.
Ir. our human rights reports for 1989 and 1990, we were fair but hard-hitting, and as accurate as available information would allow. These reports have drawn high praise from
human rights groups, and harsh condemnations from the Chinese government.
The State Department issued a statement on January 9, 1991 condemning the trials of nonviolent dissidents.
In April 1991 the President met the Dalai Lama at the White House to demonstrate our respect for His Holiness'
nonviolent approach to conflict resolution and our concern for human rights problems in Tibet.
Suspension of bilateral programs
On June 6 and June 20, 1989, the President announced the suspension of a number of bilateral programs and changes in U.S. approach to multilateral issues until the human rights climate in China improved. Those suspensions generally remain in effect.
A multitude of high-level exchange visits that would normally have taken place since 1989 have been canceled. Only a very limited number of visits at and above Assistant Secretary level have been approved on a case-by-case basis, and only when they addressed issues of key concern to the United States, e.g., like human rights, nonproliferation, unfair trade practices, and narcotics.
Military exchange visits have been suspended completely.
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