TEXT: RESOLUTION ON CLINTON'S PROPOSED TIANANMEN VISIT
(H. Con. Res. 285 asks President to reconsider visit)

Washington -- The U.S. House of Representatives has approved H. Con. Res. 285, a resolution calling upon President Clinton to reconsider his decision to be formally received in Tiananmen Square during his upcoming visit to China.

"The President should reconsider his decision to be formally received in Tiananmen Square until the Government of the People's Republic of China acknowledges the Tiananmen Square massacre, pledges that such atrocities will never happen again, and releases those Chinese students still imprisoned for supporting freedom and democracy that day," the resolution reads.

The measure now goes before the Senate.

Following is the text of the resolution:

(begin text)

105th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. CON. RES. 285

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Congress that the President of the United States should reconsider his decision to be formally received in Tiananmen Square by the Government of the People's Republic of China.

HCON 285 EH

105th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. CON. RES. 285

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Whereas 9 years ago on June 4, 1989, thousands of Chinese students peacefully gathered in Tiananmen Square to demonstrate their support for freedom and democracy;

Whereas it was with horror that the world witnessed the response of the Government of the People's Republic of China as tanks and military units marched into Tiananmen Square;

Whereas Chinese soldiers of the People's Republic of China were ordered to fire machine guns and tanks on young, unarmed civilians;

Whereas `children were killed holding hands with their mothers', according to a reliable eyewitness account;

Whereas according to the same eyewitness account, `students were crushed by armored personnel carriers';

Whereas more than 2,000 Chinese pro-democracy demonstrators died that day, according to the Chinese Red Cross;

Whereas hundreds continue to languish in prisons because of their belief in freedom and democracy;

Whereas 9 years after the massacre on June 4, 1989, the Government of the People's Republic of China has yet to acknowledge the Tiananmen Square massacre; and

Whereas, being formally received in Tiananmen Square, the President would bestow legitimacy on the Chinese Government's horrendous actions of 9 years ago: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),

That it is the sense of the Congress that the President should reconsider his decision to be formally received in Tiananmen Square until the Government of the People's Republic of China acknowledges the Tiananmen Square massacre, pledges that such atrocities will never happen again, and releases those Chinese students still imprisoned for supporting freedom and democracy that day.

Passed the House of Representatives June 4, 1998.

Attest:

Clerk.

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