[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 83 (Tuesday, June 23, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H4973]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  AN OUTRAGE AND AFFRONT TO DEMOCRACY

  (Mr. HUTCHINSON asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. Speaker, on the eve of the President's visit to 
China, we learn that the Chinese Government has pulled the visas of 
three U.S. reporters who work for Radio Free Asia and had planned to 
cover the President's trip. Mr. Speaker, this is an outrage and an 
affront to democracy.
  Today, an expert in Asian studies at George Washington University 
said in the Washington Post, ``In the end, the Clinton visit is much 
more about symbolism than substance.'' Well, if that is the case, then 
we are sending the wrong signals if we stand idly by and tacitly 
cooperate in this denial of freedom for these three reporters for Radio 
Free Asia.
  The President frequently uses Radio Free Asia as an example of how 
the United States should push China to improve human rights without 
using trade sanctions. It is now time, Mr. Speaker, to put actions with 
our words. We should stand with our reporters, and if the voice of 
democracy in Asia cannot travel with the President, then the President 
should not travel.

                          ____________________