Washington Times: Embassy Row: Denouncing Jiang

THE WASHINGTON TIMES

A former U.S. ambassador who founded a human rights group to support Chinese dissidents is calling on President Bush to denounce former Communist Party leader Jiang Zemin.

Mark Palmer is one of the founders of the Friends of Falun Gong USA. Falun Gong practitioners in China face severe repression [...].

"Our problem is not with China or even the government of China," Mr. Palmer said in a statement released by his organization. "Our problem is with Jiang Zemin and those around him."

Mr. Palmer, ambassador to Hungary from 1986 to 1990, criticized Mr. Jiang for establishing the Falun Gong Control Office, which he said is used to persecute and torture [practitioners] of the exercise group in China.

He urged Mr. Bush to "focus attention and actions on those directly responsible for the continuing violations of human rights" in his dealings with Chinese leaders.

Mr. Palmer said denouncing Mr. Jiang would also help Chinese officials who want an "honest, accountable system" dedicated to the rule of law, "not the communist bosses."

http://washingtontimes.com/world/20030608-111145-6066r.htm