Reuters: Iceland Protesters Give China's Jiang Cold Shoulder

Fri Jun 14, 6:27 PM ET

REYKJAVIK, Iceland (Reuters) - [Practitioners] of the [suppressed] Chinese spiritual movement Falun Gong and human rights activists demonstrated in Iceland on Friday against a visit by Chinese President Jiang Zemin, despite government efforts to rein in protests.

The rally by some 500 protesters in front of the parliament building was the largest political demonstration in recent memory on the small North Atlantic island, witnesses said.

Jiang arrived in Iceland on Thursday following security meetings in Russia and Central Asia, and a tour of the Baltic states. His visit to the small NATO member is the culmination of a series of political and business exchanges over recent years.

The protest took place despite a government ban on foreign [practitioners] of Falun Gong entering the country, a measure which caused an outcry among politicians of all parties, human rights groups and the media.

The United States said five of its citizens were among those detained and that it was seeking an explanation.

The government said the ban was necessary because Iceland's police force was too small to keep order if hundreds of foreign demonstrators flocked to the country during the visit.

Nevertheless, around 130 Falun Gong [practitioners] managed to get into the country before the ban. The government has allowed them to meditate and protest in central Reykjavik.

Beijing banned the Falun Gong movement in 1999 as thousands of its followers demanded recognition of their faith [...].

One political leader told Reuters the parliament protest in central Reykjavik had been a complete success with more demonstrators than for the September 2000 visit of Li Peng, head of China's national assembly, when hundreds of people demonstrated against breaches of human rights in China.

"We believe this is the largest demonstration we have seen for many, many years," said Agust Agustsson, leader of the Young Social Democrats.

The government detained 70 Falun Gong [practitioners] Tuesday, triggering demonstrations in Reykjavik. They were later released but the authorities asked the country's airline not to allow [practitioners] of the group to board planes for Iceland.

"We had planned all along to protest against political oppression in China. However, what we did not expect was that we would have to demonstrate against human rights breaches committed by the Icelandic government," Agustsson said.

State Department spokesman Philip Reeker told a news briefing the Americans were detained at the airport in Iceland on June 11 but released the next day on condition they abided by "certain rules of conduct."

A U.S. official visited them during their detention and there were no allegations of any mistreatment, Reeker said, but added: "We have asked the government of Iceland for an official explanation of its actions."

He noted the justice ministry said it was imposing the ban to ensure order and Jiang's safety, not to limit free speech.

Another U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said other Americans had been stopped from boarding flights to Iceland but had no further details.

Stefan Eiriksson, director of police and judicial affairs at the Interior Ministry, said up to 200 police were deployed to ensure public safety during the protests.

Some demonstrators wore black ribbons tied over their mouths in protest at political censorship in China, while others carried "free Tibet" banners. (Additional reporting by Elaine Monaghan in Washington)

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