在會議上您問到眾議院218號決議的進展如何。218號決議表達了眾議院的意見,認為中國政府應該停止迫害法輪功學員。現在218號決議已於2000年(譯者註﹕作者筆誤,應為1999年)11月18日在美國眾議院獲得通過,並已提交參議院對外關係委員會,至今仍然滯留在那裏。遺憾的是,在這一屆眾議院會議期內這一決議不太可能從委員會得出結果。
但我們仍然相信,這一有關人權事宜在參議院4444號決議,即2000年美中關係法(中國貿易法案)上會得到充份重視。當參議院討論中國貿易法案時,我會告之他們您的想法和建議。中國貿易法案已被美國眾議院通過。這一法案確實建立了國會執行委員會,專門對中華人民共和國的人權狀況進行觀察和向國會彙報。
另外,我想讓您知道,我和一些同事共同書寫了一封給中華人民共和國主席的信,討論有關法輪功的問題。在這封信中,我們表示很關注有關中國政府禁止法輪功和肆意關押一些骨幹和學員的做法。隨信附上這封99年8月6日寫給江澤民主席的信的複印件,以備存檔。
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510-1904
August 3, 2000
Dear Mr. Fox:
Thank you for taking the time to follow up on the July 20th meeting, where we discussed the current situation in China Toward the Falun Gong Practitioners. I appreciate your bringing this important matter to my attention.
I share your concern about the treatment that people practicing Falun Gong are receiving from the Chinese government. This serves as a further reminder of China~s poor human rights record, which I believe should play a major role in determining U.S. policy.
In the meeting you asked about the status of H. Con. Res. 218, a resolution expressing the sense of Congress that the Government of the People~s Republic of China should stop its persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. Currently, H. Con. Res. 219 passed the U.S. House of Representatives on November 18, 2000, and it has been referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, where it still remains today. Unfortunately, this resolution is not likely to come out of committee during this session of Congress.
Though, I am still hopeful that the issue of Human Rights will gain attention during the Senate consideration of H.R. 444, the U.S. ─ China Relations Act of 2000 (China Trade bill). I will certainly keep your thoughts and suggestions in mind as the Senate considers its action on the China Trade bill. The China Trade bill, as passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, does establish a Congressional-Executive Commission on the People~s Republic of China (PRC) to monitor and report to Congress on human rights in the PRC.
Also, I wanted to make you aware that I joined several of my colleagues in writing to the President of the People~s Republic of China on the topic of Falun Gong. The letter expressed concern about the official banning of Falun Gong and the arbitrary detention of some of its organizers and followers. I have included a copy of the letter sent to His Excellency Jiang Zemin dated August 6, 1999, for your records.
Again, thank you for contacting me.
Sincerely
(signature)
Susan M. Collins
United States Senator