[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 203 (Monday, December 18, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2373-E2375]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 THE OUTRAGEOUS PRISON SENTENCE IMPOSED AGAINST ACTIVIST WEI JINGSHENG

                                 ______


                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 18, 1995

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, the Chinese Government has once again 
ignored internationally recognized human rights with the imprisonment 
and the holding of a show trial of political activist Wei Jingsheng. 
Mr. Wei, who is perhaps the best known and boldest advocate of 
democracy and human rights in China, was convicted at a sham trial last 
Wednesday, December 13, of trying to overthrow the Government of China. 
He was sentenced to 14 years in prison for trying to overthrow the 
Chinese Government.
  Mr. Wei has already spent 16 years in prison for his activities in 
support of democracy. He was arrested in 1979, when he was only 29 
years of age, and then was only released from prison in September 1993 
when the Chinese Government was attempting to improve its image in an 
effort to win international support for Beijing to host the Olympic 
Games. Early in 1994--thanks in large part to a resolution which I 
introduced in the Congress and which was adopted overwhelmingly by this 
House and expressed opposition to holding the Olympic Games in Beijing 
because of China's deplorable record on human rights--

[[Page E2374]]
China did not receive the honor of hosting the Olympic Games. Within a 
short period of time, Mr. Wei was again arrested by Chinese 
authorities. He was held in prison without being charged for some 20 
months--from April 1994 until this week.
  Mr. Speaker, Chinese authorities should know that this callous, 
illegal and reprehensible action meets with the universal condemnation 
of democratic peoples and those who support human rights around the 
world. At the same time, however, we are not limited to verbal 
protestations against the Chinese action against Mr. Wei and other 
human rights and pro-democracy leaders. There are meaningful and 
effective actions that we can and should take.
  First, Mr. Speaker, I am bipartisan in my criticism of the actions of 
the administration on Chinese human rights violations. I have 
criticized the Bush administration and the Clinton administration. The 
Bush administration made the unfortunate decision to extend MFN 
treatment and cooperation with the Chinese Government in a number of 
spheres--despite the outrageous Chinese actions in Tiananmen Square in 
1989. This was one of the most horrible and vile acts of a government 
against peaceful students who were seeking to bring democracy and 
respect for human rights to their country. The Bush administration 
continued to advocate and work for continuing to grant MFN to the 
Chinese Government despite its reprehensible actions.
  The Clinton administration, likewise has continued this appalling 
policy. The administration explicitly de-linked human rights from the 
issue of MFN and United States economic relations with China. This was 
a critical error. The Chinese only understand power, and when we fail 
to give economic teeth to our commitment to human rights, that 
commitment rings hollow. We are now reaping--with the unfortunate 
imprisonment of Wei Jingsheng--the tragic consequences of this policy 
of de-linking human rights from meaningful action that will let the 
Chinese Government know that we mean business when we express our 
support for human rights.

  The second institution which deserves to be criticized in connection 
with this latest anti-democratic action by the Chinese Government are 
the American and the international business community. I call upon 
American businesses to search their conscience. Mr. Speaker, human 
rights and democracy are infinitely more important than profits. Our 
business community is timid and tepid in its support for human rights 
and for democracy in China. I urge the American business community to 
give attention to the values and principles that have made our Nation 
great and that permit them to conduct their business activities so 
successfully in the United States and in democratic and market 
economies around the world.
  We now have a trade surplus with China that is approaching $40 
billion--a substantial sum, Mr. Speaker. American business has 
considerable leverage in China, but American businesses are so 
concerned not to rock the boat, not to upset the balance in their 
relations with their Chinese business partners, that they will not 
stand up for human rights and for democratic progress in China. This is 
short-sighted and counterproductive, and it could ultimately undermine 
the business objectives that these companies are pursuing.
  Third, Mr. Speaker, this Congress has not spoken clearly and 
decisively on this issue, and we bear a portion of the blame for the 
problems that we are now seeing. Earlier this year, this House voted a 
gentle slap upon the Chinese wrist for their appalling human rights 
record, but then the majority in this House voted an unconditional 
extension of MFN trade benefits for China. This was done, Mr. Speaker, 
despite the absolutely arrogant and appalling record of China on human 
rights. We cannot expect strong words to have the impact of real 
action.
  I deplore the action of the majority in this House--and I add that it 
was a bipartisan majority including our colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle--in voting to continue MFN trade benefits with no consideration 
or link to China's actions in the area of human rights and 
democratization.
  We in this House can--and occasionally in the past we have--taken 
action that will get the attention of the Chinese. Earlier this year, 
the House by a unanimous vote and the Senate by a near-unanimous vote 
approved a resolution which I introduced expressing the sense of the 
Congress that President Lee Teng-hui of Taiwan should be permitted to 
visit his alma mater, Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, to be honored 
as a distinguished alumnus. The Chinese took notice of that action, Mr. 
Speaker. They recalled their Ambassador and they took action. While the 
response was negative, we succeeded in getting their attention.
  Mr. Speaker, that is what is needed. We must let the Chinese know 
that we can do more than express nice words of support for human rights 
democracy. We mean business. Human rights are serious. Human rights are 
of great importance to the American people. Our interest goes beyond 
making nice-sounding statements.
  The Chinese Government must know that human rights are important to 
us. The imprisonment of Mr. Wei Jingsheng is an outrage. It should be 
met with tough and meaningful action. It is my intention, Mr. Speaker, 
to continue to press this struggle. I urge my colleagues to continue 
that fight as well.
  Mr. Speaker, on the day that Mr. Wei was tried and sentenced to 14 
years of imprisonment, his sister, Ms. Wei Shanshan, issued a moving 
and important statement which gives more of the background of Mr. Wei 
and information about his trial. I ask Ms. Wei's statement be placed in 
the Record, and I urge my colleagues to read her important statement.

                       Statement by Wei Shanshan

       In 1979 my brother Wei was sentenced to fifteen years in 
     prison for calling for democracy and human rights. He was 
     twenty-nine years old, and by the time he was released from 
     prison in 1993, he was forty-three. Six months later, he was 
     again detained, and disappeared for twenty months, just 
     because he talked with journalists and foreign diplomats. Now 
     he has been sentenced to fourteen years in prison. He will be 
     sixty years old by the time he serves the sentence.
       Wei was charged with conspiring to subvert the government. 
     The evidence included money he had in the bank from an 
     international award he received for his human rights work, 
     files in his computer, his proposal to hold an art exhibit 
     and concert, and organizing cultural exchanges. He planned to 
     establish a business in order to hire families of the victims 
     of the June 4th 1989 massacre. Also, letters to his overseas 
     friends discussing human rights and democracy. The action he 
     was accused of was having connections with hostile forces 
     abroad, and publishing articles and expressing views damaging 
     to China, including expressing support for Tibetan 
     independence.
       Wei gave a one hour defense, arguing against every single 
     point. He said he does not support economic sanctions against 
     China, but the Most Favored Nation trading status debate is 
     not about sanctions, it's about putting pressure on China to 
     improve human rights and respect the rule of law, and for the 
     benefit of China. Several times he had to stop in his speech 
     because he felt faint. I am very worried now about his 
     health, because he has serious heart problems and high blood 
     pressure. Can Wei survive another fourteen years in prison, 
     my family wonders?
       We cannot stand silent before this outrageous violation of 
     human rights and international law. Since the government 
     formally arrested and charged him, Chinese citizens have 
     written letters to the National People's Congress to protest 
     this injustice. This includes professor Ding Zilin, at the 
     People's University, and many others.
       We all know that in China speaking out on behalf of 
     dissidents is extremely dangerous. But they are willing to 
     take great risks to speak out for my brother. But Western 
     governments are talking quietly and cautiously, afraid to 
     offend the Chinese leaders. What are they afraid of? Is it 
     only because they are worried about losing trade and business 
     deals? Is money more important than freedom of conscience? I 
     also heard that some people have told the U.S. government 
     that Wei is not that important in China, or not well known, 
     and therefore it is not worthwhile to defend him. I want to 
     say that he doesn't have a party, he has no power. He is only 
     an honest, independent-minded, and a brave Chinese who has a 
     sense of responsibility to help those people without a voice, 
     and those who are suffering.
       To defend him is not a future political investment, but a 
     defense of the conscience of all human beings. If a country 
     like the United States, founded on principles of freedom and 
     human rights, will not even help him, then this leads many to 
     question whether the U.S. has given up on human rights. Just 
     three days after Wei met with an American official, he was 
     detained in 1994. Today he has been sentenced to fourteen 
     years in prison. What will the U.S. do now for my brother?
       The United States is the most powerful democratic country 
     in the world. The American government has a strong influence 
     on many important events such as Bosnia and Mideast peace. If 
     the U.S. can make a strong, effective response to China, it 
     can also help to stop this terrible injustice. It is not only 
     a question of saving Wei Jingsheng, it is also a question of 
     defending thousands of dissidents in China, and fundamental 
     rights of freedom of expression of over one billion Chinese 
     people. It is in the long-term interests of the U.S. and 
     world peace.
     
[[Page E2375]]


 REPORT ON RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR DEBATE AND CONSIDERATION OF THREE 
     MEASURES RELATING TO UNITED STATES TROOP DEPLOYMENTS IN BOSNIA

                                 ______


                               speech of

                           HON. JIM LIGHTFOOT

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 13, 1995

  Mr. LIGHTFOOT. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to address 
the deployment of United States troops to Bosnia. I would first like to 
try to put the situation in a more personal context.
  It is early evening. The sun set about an hour ago, it is dark, and 
you are looking forward to a short rest stop as you make your way from 
western to eastern Iowa to spend Christmas with family and friends.
  The roadside sign says you are entering the city of Ottumwa, 
population 24,488.
  Something is wrong. The city appears to be in nearly total darkness. 
The only illumination visible is from a few scattered street lights. 
Not a single home has a light showing. How can this be? It's only 7 
p.m. on Christmas Eve and the town should be a hive of activity 
preparing for the Christmas celebration.
  A strange, eerie feeling grips your chest. You cannot believe your 
eyes. No one is in Ottumwa. No policemen are on the streets, the fire 
station is closed, stores are dark. You search in vain for just one 
house with a light on.
  Even the all-night convenience store is dark. Its Christmas lights 
are unlit. No one is in sight. No Christmas lights are showing in the 
downtown area or out at the mall. Deserted. Everyone has disappeared.
  Is this something out a science fiction movie? Where have all the 
people gone?
  This fictional scenario is the equivalent of the 24,000 American 
homes that will have an empty chair at the Christmas dinner table. The 
missing sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, and husbands and 
wives are in Bosnia.
  Why?
  In my opinion, for no good reason.
  The decision has been made by the President to send our troops into 
harm's way on an alleged peacekeeping mission. Perhaps in some other 
countries of the world this might be a possibility, but in Bosnia the 
hatred runs centuries deep.
  Ask any policeman on the beat, in a civil disturbance, regardless of 
how much the combatants hate each other, they resent an outsider even 
more. It is human nature.
  Unfortunately, the Balkans teach hatred from childhood. The sniper 
rifle bullet to the head is to avenge great, great, grandpa. Once that 
score is settled we still have all the rest of the family carrying a 
grudge. And thus the carnage goes on.
  Our American troops are the cop going into this senseless civil feud 
that has raged for centuries.
  Senator Dole and former Presidents Bush and Ford say we must support 
the troops. I agree. The way we do that is by bringing them home.
  This Christmas I would ask each of you to set an empty chair at your 
Christmas dinner table as a reminder of the young men and women who 
will follow their orders to the letter. Brave young people who didn't 
join the military to be used as policemen in a civil dispute in which 
we have no national interest. Young Americans who take their duty to 
country very seriously and did not run away when called to action. 
Tremendous people who will not be home for Christmas.
  One additional request: Each in your own words and your own way, 
please offer a prayer for these young folks.

                          ____________________