*EPF506 05/28/2004
Text: U.S. Urges China To Respect Freedom of Speech, Assembly
(State Dept. comments on reports of dissidents under house arrest) (190)

Following are the texts of a question taken at the May 27 State Department briefing and the State Department's response the same day regarding reports of recent house arrests and disruptions of phone lines of prominent Chinese dissidents:

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
May 27, 2004

QUESTION TAKEN AT THE MAY 27, 2004 DAILY PRESS BRIEFING

China - Reported Crackdown On Dissidents

Question: What is the U.S. reaction to reported house arrests and disruption of phone lines of prominent Chinese dissidents to prevent discussion of Tiananmen Square 15th anniversary?

Answer: We oppose any efforts to limit freedom of speech and urge China not to restrict its citizens from engaging in debate on important and sensitive issues of public interest.

We are particularly troubled by reports indicating that some actions have been taken to prevent Chinese citizens from meeting with U.S. officials.

We will continue to raise issues of fundamental human freedoms -- including freedom of speech and freedom of assembly -- with the Chinese government during exchanges on human rights issues.

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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