President. that article describes a hero of the student revolution who declares that many other dissidents are still imprisoned and tortured. Perhaps the best indication of the continuing oppression is a recent declaration by Ren Jianxin. president of the Supreme Peoples Court at the Fifth Session of the Seventh National Peoples Congress in Beijing on March 28. 1992. He reaffirms the Chinese Governments commitment to "severely punish counterrevolutionary criminals who harmed national security." This statement is consistent with actions reported by Amnesty International on March 5 of this year that "at least nine prodemocracy activists were arrested in Beijing by plainclothes security agents on Saturday (the] 29[th of] February." Despite promises and rumors of reform by the Chinese Government. dissidents here in the United States understand the harsh reality that awaits them if they face forced deportation. The April 6. 1992. edition of Newsweek contains a story of exiles one of whom. journalist and political scientist Yuan Zhiming. declares sadly "[S]ome of those (in jail] are my friends. If they are in prison. we will be. too." Mr. President. we have waited a thousand days. but we can wait no longer to alleviate these brave people from the fear that they face with deportation. Their patience and confidence in us is only surpassed by their love of freedom and desire to remain in the United States. We cannot afford to put their lives on hold any longer.
Keywords matched
deportation