The Times of London: Bush cautions China over rights [Excerpt]

10/20/2001

(Photograph) - President Bush and President Jiang Zemin of China share a news conference in Shanghai yesterday, at which they said they had reached a common understanding on the need to join forces to fight terrorism.

But Mr Bush sent a strong message to China and Russia that the global war on terror should not lead to human rights abuses within their own borders. In his first meeting with the Chinese leader, Mr Bush made it clear that Washington would not soften its stance on human rights issues in return for support for the anti-terrorism campaign. "The war on terrorism must never be an excuse to persecute minorities," he said. ... Both Beijing and Moscow are trying to persuade Washington to redefine the term "terrorism" so that it includes dissident groups. ... The Foreign Ministry took the demonisation of Falun Gong a step further yesterday when it accused the sect of sending anthrax-tainted letters to US companies. Mr Bush will meet President Putin of Russia tomorrow.

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