The atrocities that Jiang Zemin and Luo Gan have instigated in Tiananmen Square for the past two days against Falun Gong practitioners have extremely worried Mr. Qiao Shi [one of the most popular senior leaders in the Chinese government; former president of the Central Committee of the National People's Congress/by translator]. Disregarding the obstruction by certain concerned parties, he rode resolutely to Tiananmen Square with a bodyguard.

On the morning of October 29, 2000, watching out the car windows, Mr. Qiao Shi was eyewitness to the continued brutality against Falun Gong practitioners who came to Tiananmen Square to peacefully appeal to the government. Sources report that he was deeply grieved by the serious political mistakes that the head of the Beijing Public Security Bureau has made in persecuting Falun Gong, turning a deaf ear to severe criticism from the leaders of the central government, disregarding the strong objections of the majority of policemen, and persisting in following Jiang Zemin.

According to some sources, Jiang Zemin was very frightened about the return of Mr. Qiao Shi to Beijing. Jiang is trying to exert pressure on Mr. Qiao Shi in an attempt to force him to leave Beijing again.

A few days ago, Premier Zhu Rongji went to the fifth section of the Beijing Public Security Bureau, asking the police officials not to give a hard time to Falun Gong practitioners any more. This news has been verified by different sources.

According to some well-informed sources, the top leaders who oppose the crackdown on Falun Gong include Zhu Rongji, Li Ruihuan, Wei Jianxing, Hu Jintao and retired Qiao Shi. They are the officials who strongly oppose Jiang Zemin's obsession with power.

(Translated on October 31, 2000 based on the news in http://renminbao.com)