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Melanne Verveer's Subject Files
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Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
001. report
Legal Restrictions Applicable to Rule of Law Programs in China -
11/04/1997
P1/b(1)
Options (4 pages)
002. cable
Eliminating Violence Against Women in China (3 pages)
05/21/1998
P1/b(1)
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
First Lady's Office
Melanne Verveer
OA/Box Number: 20027
FOLDER TITLE:
China (More)
2013-0534-S
ry1657
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
b(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
b(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
of gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
2201(3).
concerning wells [(b)(9) of the FOIA]
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
]
N60 China
1
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
September 6, 1995
Remarks by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton
to the NGO Forum
Huairou, China
MRS. CLINTON: Thank you. Thank you so much. I feel so much
at home and so much a part of this group. I only wish that in
addition to the enthusiasm and interest among all of the
Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) who are gathered here, the
weather had been more cooperative this morning and I greatly
regret that we were forced to move this occasion indoors in order
to avoid any of us drowning out there. I am very sorry that not
everyone who wished to be with us this morning was able to, and I
hope all of you will convey my personal regrets to anyone who was
turned away or disappointed because of the size of this
auditorium.
It is a great pleasure for me to be here, and I want to
start by thanking Supatra and Irene for their leadership in this
extraordinary and historic enterprise.
But I also want to thank all of you who are here, because I
know from looking at the lists of people who have come, from
knowing personally many of the Americans who have come, that in
this auditorium and at this Forum, there are thousands and
thousands of women and men who every day work to make life better
in their communities for all people. And that is the greatest
contribution any one of us is able to make, and that is why the
United States and many other countries so strongly support the
efforts of NGOs and have worked very hard to ensure that NGOs
could participate in this Forum.
As many of you know, our government and other governments
recognize the important role that NGOs play in policy and
planning, in development and implementation and monitoring of
programs that advance the progress of women.
I have come here, to Huairou, to salute you for your
dedication to a cause greater than all of us. I know that many of
you went to great efforts to be here. I know many were kept from
attending this Forum. I know that for many of you who did get
here, getting here was far from easy. Many of you did not even
know until the last minute that you would be permitted to travel
1
here, and others bore great personal expense in order to come.
In addition to the weather, which is not in anyone's
control, and is always unpredictable, I know that you have had to
endure severe frustrations here as you have pursued your work.
And I also want to say a special word on behalf of women with
disabilities who have faced particular challenges.
But I mostly want to thank you for your perseverance,
because you did not give up, you did not stay away, you are here,
and the fact that you are, will make a difference in the days and
months and years to come. Because even though you may not be
physically present in Beijing at the Conference during these ten
days, the wisdom that is accumulated here, the experience, the
energy, the ideas are on full display.
Thanks to your resourcefulness, your tenacity, your sense of
purpose and your spirit, you are playing an important role in
this Conference, and you will be the key players in determining
whether or not this Conference goes beyond rhetoric and actually
does something to improve the lives of women and children.
As I said yesterday, the faces of the women who are here
mirror the faces of the millions and millions who are not. It is
our responsibility, those of us who have been able to attend this
Conference and this NGO Forum, to make sure that the voices that
go unheard will be heard. This Conference is about making sure
that women, their children, their families, have the
opportunities for health care and education, for jobs and
political participation, for lives free of violence, for basic
legal protections, and yes, for internationally recognized human
rights no matter where they are or where they live.
Time and time again we have seen that it is NGOs who are
responsible for making progress in any society. Some of us never
knew we were NGOs twenty and twenty-five and thirty years ago.
That was not even a phrase that any of us had ever heard. We were
people working together on behalf of all of those rights which we
care about and hold dear. But when one looks at the progress that
has been made throughout the world, it is clear that it is the
NGOs who have charted real advances for women and children.
It is the NGOs who have pressured governments and have led
governments down the path to economic, social, and political
progress, often in the face of overwhelming hostility. Again,
NGOs have persevered, just as you have by coming here and staying
here and participating in this Forum.
What will be important as we end the Forum and the
Conference at the end of this week is that it will be NGOs who
will hold governments to the commitments that they make. And it
is important that the final Platform for Action that is adopted
2
be distilled into words that every woman, no matter where she
lives, or how much education she has, can understand. I think we
should want every woman, no matter where she is, to believe that
there are women all over the world who care about her health, who
want her children to be educated, who want her to have the
dignity and respect that she deserves to have.
When I think of the faces that I have seen in my own
country, when I think of the women who did not have health care
because they cannot afford it in the United States of America,
when I think particularly of a woman I met in New Orleans,
Louisiana, who told me that because she did not have enough money
she was told by physicians there in our country, that they would
not do anything about the lump in her breast, but would merely
wait and watch, while if she had insurance she would have been
sent to a surgeon. I think about the woman I met in a village
outside Lahore, Pakistan, who had ten children, five boys and
five girls, and was struggling as hard as she could to make sure
her girls were educated and wanted help to get that job done.
I think of the faces of the beautiful women I met at SEWA,
the Self-Employed Women's Association, in India. All of them had
walked miles and miles, some of them for twelve and fifteen hours
to get to our meeting together, and I listened as they stood up
and told me what it had meant that for the first time in their
lives, they had a little money of their own. They could buy their
own vegetable carts. They could buy their own thread and
materials so that they could make income for themselves and their
families.
I think of the women in a village in Bangladesh, a village
of untouchables women were Hindus who invited to their village
for my visit Moslem women from the neighboring village. I think
of how those women sat together under a lean-to-Hindus and
Moslems together in one of the poorest countries of the world,
but so many of those women telling me how their lives had been
changed because they had become borrowers and were now part of
the Grameen Bank microenterprise effort.
I think particularly of the play that their children put on
for me to see, a play in which the children acted out the refusal
by a family to let a girl child go to school. And then further
down the road from that village, I stood and watched families
coming to receive food supplements in return for keeping their
girl children in school.
Those are the kinds of women and experiences that happen
throughout the world, whether one talks about my country or any
country. Women are looking for the support and encouragement they
need to do what they can for their own lives and the lives of
their children and the lives of their families. The only way this
Conference will make a difference to these women is if the
3
results of the Conference are taken and distilled to a minimal
number of easily read pages which state the basic principles.
When that is done, the message can be carried into every corner
of the world where women will recognize and exchange shared
experiences.
When I came home from Bangladesh, I visited in Denver,
Colorado, a program that is modeled on the Grameen Bank, helping
American women who are welfare recipients get the dignity and the
skills that they need to take care of themselves and their
children.
So despite all of the difficulties and frustrations you have
faced in coming here and being here, you are here not only on
behalf of yourselves, but on behalf of millions and millions of
women whose lives can be changed for the better. Let us all
resolve to leave this place and do what we can together to make
the changes that will give respect and dignity to every woman.
I know that today at the women's conference there is a
special celebration of girls. The theme is: "Investing in Today's
Girls, Tomorrow's Women, and the Future." We know that much of
what we do, we are doing not for ourselves, but we are doing for
our daughters, our nieces, our granddaughters. We are doing it
because we have the hope that the changes we work for will take
root and flower in their lives.
When I was privileged to be in New Delhi, India, I met a
young woman who I think spoke for many, many women, and someone
asked me yesterday at the Conference if I had a copy of the poem
which this young woman wrote. I said that I did and she asked if
I could read it today, and I said that I would. This was a poem
about breaking the silence, the silence that afflicts too many
women's lives, the silence that keeps women from expressing
themselves freely, from being full participants even in the lives
of their own families. This poem written by a young woman, I
think, is particularly appropriate since we are celebrating today
the future of girls. Let me read it to you:
Too many women
in too many countries
speak the same language.
Of silence.
My grandmother was always silent-
always aggrieved-
only her husband had the cosmic right,
(or so it was said)
to speak and to be heard.
They say it is different now.
(After all, I am always vocal
and my grandmother thinks
I talk too much)
But sometimes I wonder.
4
When a woman gives her love, as most women do, generously-
it is accepted. When a woman shares her thoughts,
as some women do, graciously-
it is allowed.
When a woman fights for power,
as all women would like to,
quietly or loudly,
it is questioned.
And yet, there must be freedom-
if we are to speak.
And yes, there must be power-
if we are to be heard.
And when we have both
(freedom and power)
let us not be misunderstood.
We seek only to give words
to those who cannot speak
(too many women
in too many countries)
I seek only to forget
the sorrows of my grandmother's
silence.
That is the kind of feeling that literally millions and
millions of women feel every day. And much of what we are doing
here at this Forum and at this Conference is to give words to
break the silence and then to act.
When I was at Copenhagen for the Summit on Social
Development, I was pleased to announce that the United States
would make an effort to enhance educational opportunities for
girls so that they could attend school in Africa, Asia, and Latin
America. Today that effort, funded with United States' dollars,
is being organized in countries throughout those continents by
NGOs.
There are so many ways we can work together. There are so
many things that must be done. And let me just end with a
postcard that I received from a woman who, with many, many
others, wrote me her feelings and thoughts about this Conference.
I don't know this woman, but she wrote to tell me that she wanted
me to carry this card to Beijing. And she went on to say, "Be
assured of many prayers for the success of the Conference, to
better conditions for women and children throughout the world."
She put on this card a prayer and the prayer was written in
many languages. It's a prayer that applies and can be said by
many, if not all of the world's religions. I want to end with
that because I think that in many respects what we are attempting
to do requires the kind of faith and commitment that this prayer
5
represents:
Oh God, Creator of the heavens and the earth, we pray for
all who gather in Beijing. Bless them. Help them and us to
see one another through eyes enlightened by understanding
and compassion. Release us from prejudice so we can receive
the stories of our sisters with respect and attention. Open
our ears to the cries of a suffering world and the healing
melodies of peace. Empower us to be instruments in bringing
about Your justice and equality everywhere.
That is my prayer as well, and with my thanks to all of you
I believe we can take the results of this Forum and this
Conference and begin to translate them into actions that will
count, in the lives of girls and women who will have never heard
of what we have done here, but whose lives can be changed because
of what you have done by coming here.
Thank you all very much.
###
6
THE WASHINGTON POST
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12. 1995
The Dalai Lama's Mission
HE DALAI LAMA of Tibet, to his people
From China's crushing of the Tibetan rebellion
T
their temporal as well as spiritual leader, is
of 1959, its policy has been regarded as a
in Washington on a difficult mission. This
world-class political crime. The Dalai Lama, now
shrewd and pious Buddhist monk is trying to
60, has lived in exile in India since that day.
crank up the American government to put Chi-
Tibet's geographical and cultural isolation, how-
na's treatment of Tibet higher on the list of
ever, has tended to keep it in the second tier of
American priorities. His contention is that this
international concern. This is what makes it hard
time of leadership succession in Beijing, and of
for the United States, especially at this moment
tension between Washington and Beijing, is a
of major collision with China on other issues, to
good time for the United States to take a "firm
break with diplomatic practice and, directly, to
and principled" position on Tibet.
take up Tibet's political cause.
It is a good time. It always is. But it is a tricky
The Dalai Lama believes that in the short run
time. Since the United States "normalized" its
relations with China two decades ago, it has
things don't look good for Tibet but in the long
accepted Tibet as a part of China and treated the
run they look better. He finds hope in the
Dalai Lama mainly as a religious and cultural
tenacity and spirituality of his long-suffering
figure. On occasion, Congress has described Ti-
people and in the example of communism's col-
bet as an occupied country whose legitimate
lapse in the former Soviet empire. He is certainly
representatives are the Dalai Lama and the
right in thinking the process will move more
Tibetan government in exile. Officially, however,
quickly and-something of great import to one
successive presidents ask for Tibet cultural and
who does not believe in violence-more peaceful-
religious autonomy and respect for human rights
ly if other countries use their influence to help it
and free speech. It is a demanding agenda, and
along. There is much that public officials in the
China is far from fulfilling it, but it, does not
United States can do-President Clinton could
include the self-determination-which is short of
still receive the Dalai Lama, for instance-to
independence-that Tibetans ask for them-
keep Tibet's ordeal and China's responsibility for
selves.
it before the world.
Whitman- Finds Funds
SIGNIFICANT number of AIDS patients
A
contractors on time-is in desperate need of
run out of money during the course of
funds to carry on its good work.
their treatment but have unreachable as-
Some questions have been raised about this
sets in the form of life insurance policies that will
arrangement, and this is understandable, since few
pay out only after their deaths. In recent years
people are as vulnerable as the terminally ill and
some insurers have agreed to pay these benefits
every caution must be taken to protect them from
early, at a discounted rate, to policyholders who
fraud, conflict of interest or other rip-offs. But
have a terminal illness. In cases where an insurer
Whitman-Walker has not endorsed this company or
does not allow pre-death payment, organizations
any other and will continue its practice of advising
called viaticum companies will often buy the
clients on all sources of funds and encouraging
policy, again at a discount, so that the patient can
them to compare benefits and drawbacks.
have access to the insurance proceeds. This is a
Further, because there were a few question-
sensible arrangement that makes a great differ-
able practices in this new industry when it arose,
ence in the lives and living conditions of the
states have begun to regulate the companies.
terminally ill.
New York, the home of Life Entitlements, re-
In May, the Whitman-Walker Clinic, which is
quires licensing by the Insurance Department, a
the largest provider of services to AIDS patients
procedure that involves financial disclosures, in-
in this area, signed an agreement with Life
vestigations of corporate officers and even fin-
Entitlements, a New York company that buys life
gerprinting of applicants. This company has a
insurance policies in these circumstances. In
New York license and is continuously regulated
exchange for the use of Whitman-Walker's name
by that state. On its face, therefore, the arrange-
in ads and brochures, the company has promised
ment made by Whitman-Walker appears to be
beneficial to the clinic and protective of its
to donate 3 percent of the face value of all the
clients. In these days of unprecedented budget
policies it purchases within 100 miles of Wash-
shortfalls in the nonprofit sector, new sources of
ington. It's a good deal, because Whitman-Walk-
funding that do not harm, and probably benefit,
er-another victim of the District's failure to pay
the community served are especially welcome.
69247
Matt Lorin
THE NEW YORK TIMES, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1995
A Well-Known Hat Bobs at Women's Conference
Acclaim for Bella Abzug
By SETH FAISON
BEIJING, Sept. 11 - In a plush hotel ballroom
this morning, far from the conference site where
thousands of women were caucusing over how
best to achieve equal rights, former President
George Bush addressed a gathering of food pro-
duction executives in his famously rambling, half-
sentence style.
The subject inevitably came around to the Unit-
ed Nations Fourth World Conference on Women
under way here, and Mr. Bush singled out a
favorite Republican target at a conference he
described as damaging to the Chinese Govern-
ment: Bella Abzug.
"I feel somewhat sorry for the Chinese, having
Bella Abzug running around in China," said Mr.
Bush. "Bella Abzug is one who has always repre-
sented the extremes of the women's movement."
To Ms. Abzug, who chuckled when first told of
the remark, it was more than another example of
Mr. Bush's uncanny ability to misspeak.
"If he knew what he was talking about, he
wouldn't have said 'running around,' she said,
gesturing at the wheelchair she uses because of a
bad leg. "He was addressing a fertilizer group?
That's appropriate."
Then she frowned. "This is part of a right-wing
effort to diminish what we're doing here," she said
in her gravelly Bronx accent. "The right wing
Associated Press
wants to pretend that women are happy the way
they are, with violence in the home and discrimi-
Bella Abzug, 75, feminist and former member of Congress, has drawn both raves and razzes as a
nation on the job. It's just silly."
participant at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing.
Ms. Abzug, now 75, who served three terms in
Congress and ran unsuccessfully for United States
ways she has inspired them.
for decades, has two daughters. Her husband,
Senate and for Mayor of New York in the 1970's,
"I love being here," she said, after a young
Martin, died in 1986. "He was a lovely man," she
seems very much in the mainstream of the wom-
Indian woman shook her hand and murmured her
said. "I haven't been entirely the same since he
en's movement on display here.
appreciation. "The presence of SO many women,
died."
Always wearing her trademark wide-brimmed
and the emotions going on here and at the forum,
Although she suffers from heart disease and
hat, and never known to shy from attention, Ms.
it's great."
was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago,
Abzug calls herself one of the principal architects
Despite the many complaints of poor facilities
and now has difficulty walking, Ms. Abzug gener-
of the methods non-governmental organizations
and harassment by Chinese authorities, Ms. Abzug
ally does not complain about her health.
use to lobby government delegates at internation-
said choosing China as the site for the conference,
"She's a woman of phenomenal energy, and
al conferences.
was bound to have a long-term positive effect.
doesn't go through a day without great physical
She dismisses the label "extremist," pointing
out that her own non-governmental organization is
With the group she founded, the Women's Envi-
pain," said Mim Kelber, a longtime associate
at the center of efforts to help negotiate a United
ronment and Development Organization (WE DO)
whose friendship with Ms. Abzug began at Hunter
one of the main coordinators of the non-govern-
High School nearly 60 years ago. "When we're
Nations "Platform for Action" entirely through
mental forum held in tandem with the United
sick, most of us would go to bed, but she just goes
consensus. "We're in the middle ground, in that
Nations conference here, Ms. Abzug has tried to
to another meeting."
we're building consensus all the time," she said.
Yet her forceful personality and direct manner
focus the efforts of dozens of smaller groups on
What drives her so hard? "I was a second
have made her a lightning rod of criticism by
obtaining commitments from government delega-
child," Ms. Abzug said succinctly. "I had to work
those who opposed the idea of holding a women's
tions to deliveron their promises. "We've had the
hard to get attention."
conference at all this year. After Bob Dole, the
words, now we need the music," she said.
Why the hats? 'Now there's a story," she said.
Senate majority leader, said he could not imagine
Though she spends nearly all her working time
"When I was a young lawyer, I would go to
why anyone "would want to attend a conference
on WE DO and other projects, Ms. Abzug does not
people's offices and they would always say, 'Sit
co-chaired by Bella Abzug," she responded that
receive a salary. "I've always thought that if you
here. We'll wait for the lawyer. Working women
she was not chairing the meeting but simply
really believe in something, you should do it for
wore hats. It was the only way they would take you
participating with more than 30,000 other women.
free," she said, explaining that she supports her-
seriously.
Not that she is any ordinary participant. Ms.
self with occasional legal work. "My children
"After a while, I started liking them. When I got
Abzug can barely get across a hallway without
support me? Hah! I'm lucky that I don't have to
to Congress, they made a big thing of it. So I was
being stopped by women from different parts of
support them anymore."
watching - did they want me to wear It or not?
the world who wish her well and tell her various
Ms. Abzug, who has lived in Greenwich Village
They didn't want me to wear it, so I did.
His Eye on China, Clinton Skips a Formal Meeting With Dalai Lama
By STEVEN GREENHOUSE
Tibetan Buddhist leader, complain-
tions on full independence. Tibet is
cided not to meet him, saying he
ing that such a move was improper
now officially termed an "autono-
always sought to avoid embarrass-
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 - The
interference in China's internal af-
mous region" by Beijing.
ing his hosts.
White House officials said today that
President Clinton would not schedule
fairs. Beijing insists that Tibet is
Members of Congress quickly crit-
But John Ackerley, director of the
part of China, and the Clinton Admin-
icized Mr. Clinton's failure to sched-
International Campaign for Tibet,
a meeting with the Dalai Lama, Ti-
istration supports that view, al-
ule a meeting with the Tibetan lead-
was clearly dissatisfied.
bet's exiled leader, during his cur-
though it has repeatedly criticized
er.
"We would like something more
rent visit to Washington, in another
China for violating human rights in
"Just because our relations with
than that," he said.
sign of the Administration's eager-
Tibet.
China are a little shaky doesn't mean
Seeing to minimize any Chinese
ness not to anger China while frayed
The Dalai Lama, who has set up a
we should be kowtowing to them,"
backlash to a meeting between Mr.
relations are on the mend.
government-in-exile in India, told re-
said Senator Craig Thomas, a Wyo-
Gore and the Tibetan leader, Deputy
Instead, the White House said that
porters today that the United States
ming Republican who sponsored a
Assistant Secretary of State Kent
Vice President Gore would meet
should work to improve its relations
resolution, approved last week, urg-
Wiedemann said: "We regard him
with him on Wednesday, and that Mr.
with China and work for democratic
ing Mr. Clinton to meet the Tibetan
as an internationally respected reli-
Clinton might drop in if he has time.
change there, in part because that
leader.
gious leader as well as one who de-
The Chinese would clearly not be
would help Tibet's efforts to win au-
White House officials defended the
serves special admiration for his ad-
happy with such a meeting," an Ad-
tonomy and fight China's efforts to
decision not to arrange an Oval Of-
vocacy of peaceful resolution of dis-
ministration official said, in explain-
suppress Tibetan culture.
fice meeting, saying that it was little
putes. We do not regard the Dalai
ing why Mr. Clinton might not see the
He urged the Clinton Administra-
different from! last year when a
Lama as a political figure or political
Dalai Lama this year after meeting
tion to press Beijing to start negotia-
meeting was scheduled with Mr.
leader. Any discussion the Adminis-
with him during his 1993 and 1994
tions with him on granting Tibet
Gore and President Clinton dropped
tration has with the Dalai Lama does
visits to Washington.
"genuine self-rule in association with
in for 15 minutes.
not in any way convey that we recog-
In the past, Chinese officials con-
China," although he took pains to say
The Dalai Lama told reporters it
nize the government-in-exile of Ti-
demned Mr. Clinton for seeing the
that he was not asking for negotia-
would be "O.K." if Mr. Clinton de-
bet."
Tibetan women speak out at conference
File Beiging about Clips
more rights now, to get an education, own land and direct
Chinese atrocities By Gayle Reaves Dallas
their own lives, than they did ``in the old days."
(EDITORS: STORY CAN TRIM HERE)
Morning News
The harassment by Chinese officials that the Tibetan
BEIJING At the NGO Forum site at Huairou, two tents
exiles say went on at Huairou scared the women.
sheltered women wearing the same traditional Tibetan costume
But they said the attention and support for their
of silk shirts and striped aprons.
homeland wouldn't have happened anywhere else, and they
But the clashes between them and the political systems they
believe this will help improve their plight.
represent highlight one of China's worst human rights
'We are happy that the conference happened in Beijing,"
situations.
said Kesang Wangmo, 37, an Australian housewife.
B-99 was the headquarters for nine Tibetan exiles,
whose families escaped Chinese-controlled Tibet after
China's 1949 takeover. Despite government opposition, they
returned to China to tell about atrocities against the
Tibetan people and particularly Tibetan women.
Forced abortions and sterilizations are ``threatening
the survival of our culture," said Tenki Davis, a San
Francisco physician and Tibetan exile. Many Tibetan women
also have been imprisoned for speaking out against Chinese
rule, she said.
Chinese officials and Tibetan women from the official
Chinese NGO (nongovernmental organizations) group denied
charges by Davis and the others.
``I think it is total lies to say the Chinese
government is carrying out population-reducing policies in
Tibet," said Tsering Drolkar, honorary chairwoman of the
government-sanctioned Tibetan group.
Most of exile group members were born outside Tibet and
have never been there, she said. ``How can they know our
situations?"
However, rights watchdog groups from Amnesty
International to the Women's Rights Project have
documented the forcing or coercing of Chinese women into
having abortions and sterilizations.
And "by far the largest known group of female
political prisoners in China is imprisoned in the Tibet
Autonomous Region," according to
a 1995 report from Amnesty International. The region covers
about 40 percent of what had been Tibet.
Many of the prisoners are Buddhist nuns who
participated in independence demonstrations, the report
said.
Many women have been tortured in custody, Amnesty says,
with the worst brutality apparently reserved for nuns. It
lists five Tibetan women since 1991 who have died in
custody or shortly after release.
But it has been China's coercive birth control policies
that drew the most criticism for China, especially from
first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and U.N. Ambassador
Madeleine Albright.
Chinese officials had suggested that the United States
mind its own business on such matters. But this week,
Chinese Premier Li Peng said that "U.S. standards" in
population policy should not be applied to China because
of China's problems in feeding its 1.2 billion people.
If China does not control its population, Li said, the
result could be chaos and self-destruction.
A Chinese government pamphlet implies that the
small-family policy is not forced.
Human rights groups say China's small-family
preferences (generally, for one child in urban areas, two
in the countryside) are enforced by huge fines, threats,
job loss, imprisonment and beatings.
When those measures fail, rights groups say, women
reportedly have been taken forceably from their homes to
have abortions even in the last stages of pregnancy or
sterilization operations.
In one instance reported to Amnesty, local militia
surrounded a village, gathered all the pregnant women and
took them to the hospital for forced abortions in the
middle of the night.
But Drolkar said that, ``the government has no
limitations on the children a Tibetan family can have."
Only women are encouraged to limit their families, she
said, because a large family ``prevents her from
participating in decision-making."
"There are many women in Tibet who have as many as
eight or 12 children," she said. But a family of that
size, she said, is not good."
Drolkar also said Tibetan women generally have many
NOV-14-1995 09:36 FROM
TO
94566244
P.01
X nts
SUBCOMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS AND
HUMAN RIGHTS
China
COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
have RTS
2401A RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20515
CHAIRMAN
(202) 225-5748
GROVER JOSEPH REES
(202) 225-7485 (FAX)
STAFF DIRECTOR AND CHIEF COUNSEL
DAVID M. WAGNER, COUNSEL
ROBERT KING, MINORITY STAFF DIRECTOR
STEPHANIE SCHMIDT, STAFF ASSOCIATE
DATE:
TO: Milan Bevier
TIME:
OFFICE:
FROM: G.J. Rees
MESSAGE:
Here's the House-passed language
on Forced abutim/sterilization victims -
+ background /talking prints. - Jamph
NUMBER OF PAGES (INCLUDING THIS COVER PAGE):
TO
NOV-14-1995 09:36 FROM
134
1 SEC. 2252. PERSECUTION FOR RESISTANCE TO COERCIVE
2
POPULATION CONTROL METHODS.
3
Section 101(a)(42) of the Immigration and National-
4 ity Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(42)) is amended by adding at
5 the end the following: "For purposes of determinations
6 under this Act, a person who has been forced to abort
7 a pregnancy or to undergo involuntary sterilization, or
8 who has been persecuted for failure or refusal to undergo
9 such a procedure or for other resistance to a coercive pop-
10 ulation control program, shall be deemed to have been per-
11 secuted on account of political opinion, and a person who
12 has a well founded fear that he or she will be forced to
13 undergo such a procedure or subjected to persecution for
14 such failure, refusal, or resistance shall be deemed to have
15 a well founded fear of persecution on account of political
16 opinion."
NOV-14-1995 09:36 FROM
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94566244
P.03
Sec.
- Persecution for Resistance to Coercive Population Control Policies.
This provision is identical to that already passed by the House as part of H.R.
1561, the American Overseas Interests Act. It would simply reinstate the interpretation of
refugee and asylum law which prevailed prior to August 1994.
- An applicant must prove his or her case: we would not have to let in 1.2 billion
people. In fact, during the Reagan and Bush administrations the number of people granted
asylum on this ground was usually less than 100 per year, and never more than 200 per year.
Protection of coercive population control victims ---- and particularly of women who
have been forced to have abortions, or who can prove a well founded fear of forced abortion
--- has enjoyed broad bipartisan support in Congress. In 1989 the Senate passed the
Armstrong-DeConcini Amendment, which provided that nationals of the PRC who resist the
coercive abortion and sterilization policy shall be viewed as engaging in an act of political
defiance sufficient to establish a well founded fear of persecution, by a vote of 95-0. The
House voted 300-115 to instruct its conferees to concur in the amendment. President Bush
later vetoed the bill to which the amendment was attached, but his veto was for reasons
unrelated to asylum protection for coercive population control victims. His promise to
provide similar protection by Executive Order was decisive in sustaining the veto.
Support for this provision has been bipartisan and has spanned the "pro-life" and
"pro-choice" movements. The Center for Reproductive Law & Policy and the Lawyers'
Committee for Human Rights have both endorsed asylum for forced abortion and sterilization
victims. This form of persecution is a dramatic intrusion into bodily integrity and
fundamental personal freedom.
Forced abortion, forced sterilization, and other severe punishments inflicted on
resisters to the PRC program are persecution on account of political opinion. PRC officials
have repeatedly attacked resisters as political and ideological criminals. The infliction of
extraordinarily harsh punishment is also generally regarded as evidence that those who inflict
such punishment regard the offenders not as ordinary lawbreakers but as enemies of the state.
Forced abortions often take place in the very late stages of pregnancy. Sometimes
the procedure is carried out during the process of birth itself, either by crushing the baby's
skull with forceps as it emerges from the womb or by injecting formaldehyde into the soft
spot of the head.
Especially harsh punishments have been inflicted on persons whose resistance is
motivated by religion. According to a recent Amnesty International report, enforcement
measures in two overwhelmingly Catholic villages in northern China have included torture,
sexual abuse, and the detention of resisters' relatives as hostages to compel compliance. The
campaign is reported to have been conducted under the slogan "better to have more graves
than more than one child."
INS and DOS officials have sometimes attempted to justify the denial of asylum to
coercive population control victims on the ground that allowing such claims will be a
"floodgate" and "magnet" for large-scale illegal immigration. The facts simply do not
support such assertions. In the last year of the Bush Administration, when INS policy was to
grant asylum to anyone who could prove a well-founded fear of forced abortion or forced
sterilization, fewer than 200 such claims were granted.
The dramatic and well-publicized arrival of a few vessels containing Chinese "boat
people" has tended to obscure the fact that these people have never amounted to more than a
tiny fraction of the undocumented immigrants to the United States. The total number of
Chinese boat people who arrived during the years our more generous asylum policy was in
force, or who were apprehended while attempting to do so, was fewer than 2000. This is the
equivalent of a quiet evening on the border in San Diego.
1
NOV-14-1995 09:37 FROM
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94566244
P.04
Nor is there evidence that denying asylum to people whose claims are based on
forced abortion or forced sterilization will be of any use in preventing false claims. People
who are willing to lie in order to get asylum will simply switch to some other story. The
only people who will be forced to return to China will be those who are telling the truth ---
who really do have a reasonable fear of being subjected to forced abortion or forced
sterilization. The solution to credibility problems is careful case-by-case adjudication, not
wholesale denial.
DOS and INS add rhetorical punch to the asylum-as-magnet argument by asserting
that treating forced abortion victims decently will be a unique incentive to "smuggling" and
"criminal gangs." Everyone is against smuggling. But let's prosecute the smugglers. But
let's not take it out on the victims. The passengers on the St. Louis who were forced back to
occupied Europe in 1939 were smuggled aliens too.
Contrary to another frequent assertion, the number of "single young men" who ever
got asylum under the former policy was zero.
Finally, we should be extremely careful about forcibly repatriating asylum seekers
to China in light of evidence that a number of those sent back by the United States since
1993 have been subjected to "re-education camps," forced labor. beatings. and other harsh
treatment.
When the Administration instructed immigration officials last August to deny all
asylum claims based on forced abortion and/or forced sterilization, it announced a substitute
policy by which an INS District Director may give a temporary stay of deportation to a
person who can show that a forced abortion or sterilization is imminent upon her return to
China. Although the 1994 policy appears to have been well-intentioned, in practice it is just
a way of singling out forced-abortion victims for harsher treatment than other refugees. This
is the policy under which INS is about to deport the "Bakersfield women", even though
several were found to have testified credibly that they were forced to have abortions.
- The 1994 policy imposes a far heavier burden of proof upon people who fear
forced abortion or sterilization than on other asylum seekers, even those who fear forms of
persecution that are not nearly so harsh. The usual standard of proof for asylum applicants,
under which the applicant must prove a "well founded fear" of persecution, is the appropriate
standard. We should not be sending anyone back who has a serious chance of facing this
extraordinarily gruesome form of persecution.
The temporary stay of deportation is also discretionary on the part of the INS
District Director. The exercise of discretion is reviewable by INS officials, but not by any
court or administrative tribunal. Stays have been routinely denied, even to applicants whose
testimony has been found credible by immigration judges.
The underlying problem with the current policy or anything else like it is that it
begins by assuming that resisters to coercive population control program are ordinary
lawbreakers, not refugees fleeing persecution. It then, however, allows as how many
Americans feel deep sympathy for these particular non-refugees, and announces that it will
do them a special favor by temporarily staying deportation. This sends exactly the wrong
message about the people in question. They are fleeing persecution and they do not need
"special treatment."
- The H.R. 1561 language, which simply overturns the special exclusion of this
group of refugees from refugee/asylum protection, is the cleanest, simplest, and most honest
way to deal with this problem.
2
11/11/96 19:14:20 NOUW
7010->
Bago 001
11/14/95 19:13
TO:
Melanne Verveer
Office of the First Lady
FAX PHONE: (202) 456-6244
VOICE: (202) 456-6266
FROM: AAUW
Teri Bernardo (202) 728-7633
11/14/95 19:14:43 AAIIW
201A->
Page AA?
Urgent
Urgent
Urgent
ASSAULT ON REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
CALL YOUR SENATORS
Thank you! Your calls along with those of other pro-choice advocates produced the pressure
necessary to refer the Smith/Canady late term abortion han hill (N 939/TTR 1833) In committee
But, our job is not finished. On Friday, November 17, the Senute Judiciary Committee will hold
a hearing on S 939/HR 1833. As you know, S 939/HR 1833 bans some late-term abortions
without an exemption for the life or health of the woman The full Sonate is expected to consider
S 939/HR 1833 on Monday November 77. Senator Robert Smith (R NH) and Reps. Robert
Dornan (R-CA) and Chris Smith (R-NJ) have stated that this is the beginning of the end for
abortion rights.
The radical right has made this bill their top priority. As a result, Senate offices are being
flooded with anti-choice calls. Pro-choice calls opposing the bill are needed immediately to
Senate offices. Please activate telephone trees and call your Senators at (202) 224-3121. In
addition, Senators will be home over the Thanksgiving holiday; use this opportunity to express
your opposition to this bill. Below are talking points to use in your phone calls or visits:
S 939/HR 1833 present a direct constitutional challenge to Roe V. Wade because this
legislation provides no exception for cases in which the woman's life or health is in
danger.
S 939/HR 1833 would endanger women's health. S 939/HR 1833 would prohibit the
abortion method that is most likely to preserve some women's health and ability to
have children. Women facing late-term abortions because of health risks want to
have children in the future.
Congress must not interfere with a woman facing the tragic decision of needing a
late-term abortion for life or health risks. This decision must be made in
consultation with her family and her physician.
ACTION NEEDED:
CALL YOUR SENATORS
(202) 224-3121
Thank you for all your help in supporting a woman's right to choose.
November 14, 1995
TOTAL P.02
THE NEW YORK TIMES, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1995
ary Plane
Sri Lanka
Fill
Wary of Irking China, Clinton
Sees Dalai Lama Only Briefly
es Down,
Chena
By STEVEN GREENHOUSE
White House officials said Mr.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 Seek-
Clinton expressed his concern for
preserving Tibet's religion and cul-
ling All 75
ing to show his concern for Tibet
without igniting new tensions with
ture after the Dalai Lama said he
China, President Clinton dropped in
feared that Tibet's culture faced
By JOHN F. BURNS
briefly to see the Dalai Lama today
extinction because of China's efforts
while the Tibetan spiritual leader
to suppress it by imposing the Chi-
EW DELHI, Sept. 13 After a
Since ending a 14-week truce with
was meeting with Vice President Al
nese language and culture and by
ccession of reverses in their war
an attack by a team of underwater
Gore.
encouraging a immigration of Chi-
ith the Tamil Tiger rebels, Sri Lan-
saboteurs on Government gunboats
White House officials said Mr.
nese into Tibet.
ka's armed forces suffered a new
in Trincomalee harbor in April, the
Clinton had this "drop in" meeting
One Administration official who
blow today when a newly acquired
Tamil Tigers have hit hard. Apart
with the Dalai Lama for the third
attended the meeting said the Dalai
transport plane plunged into the sea
from the two transport planes that
year in a row to avoid an official
Lama told Mr. Clinton that "to in-
near Colombo, killing all 75 troops
were downed by missile fire near the
Oval Office meeting that would an-
sure the survival of Tibetan spiritu-
and crew members aboard.
Palali military base on the Jaffna
ger Beijing.
ality and culture, the Tibetans will
It was the third time in five
peninsula, the destination for the
China insists that Tibet is part of
need some level of self-governance."
months that a troop-carrying plane
plane that crashed today, the rebels
China and protests any high-level
The Dalai Lama has repeatedly
bound for the rebel stronghold on the
have also sunk five navy vessels,
Jaffna peninsula had crashed with
American meeting with the Dalai
asked the United States to press Chi-
including two Israeli-made Dvora
Lama as improper interference in its
na to begin a dialogue with him about
the loss of all aboard.
fast-attack gunboats that were sunk
Air force spokesmen said the
internal affairs. But many Tibetans
granting Tibet more autonomy.
by Tiger frogmen last month.
crash appeared to have been caused
assert that China has been illegally
According to American officials,
The attack on the gunboats came
by a combination of a thunderstorm
after the vessels were lured close to
occupying the remote Himalayan
the Tibetan leader asked Mr. Clinton
land since 1950.
to increase American aid to hun-
and instrument failure. They said the
what appeared to be a stricken ferry
off the island's east coast. Rebels
The Dalai Lama, who is on a 10-
dreds of thousands of Tibetan refu-
plane, a twin-engine Antonov-32, was
trying to return to Ratmalana air
day trip to the United States, saw
who had hijacked the ferry took 128
gees who have fled their homeland
base when it disappeared from radar
Mr. Clinton for about 10 minutes
since 1950. He estimated that about
passengers prisoner and demanded
the release of captured members of
during a half-hour meeting in Mr.
two-thirds of the six million Tibetans
screens.
The crash came as the Sri Lankan
a Tiger sabotage team. In the last
Gore's office in the West Wing of the
live outside the Tibetan region under
Government pressed the military to
White House.
Chinese control.
week, at least 40 of the passengers
mount a new offensive on the Jaffna
have been- released to the Interna-
peninsula, with the goal of capturing
Italy Demands a Voice
tional Committee of the Red Cross in
By The New York Times
the city of Jaffna, headquarters for
Jaffna, and negotiations for release
ROME, Sept. 13 - Miffed at hav-
the Tamil Tiger rebels and blocking
of the others continue. One passen-
ing been excluded from the latest
their bid to carve a separate Tamil
ger was killed in the hijacking.
round of Bosnia peace talks, Italy's
state out of northern and eastern
A Government offensive on the
Foreign Minister said today that
parts of Sri Lanka. After a troop
Jaffna peninsula in July stalled rap-
Rome will henceforth consider all
buildup on the peninsula, said to in-
idly after early gains against the
requests for logistical support of the
volve more than 40,000 soldiers, the
rebels. According to military offi-
NATO military effort in Bosnia on a
Government wants to begin the of-
cials in Colombo, the plan has been to
case-by-case basis.
fensive before the fall monsoons
resume the offensive after a new
Speaking to a parliamentary com-
reach the peninsula in October.
troop buildup. But the buildup has
mission, Foreign Minister Susanna
According to diplomats in Colom-
drawn large numbers of soldiers
Agnelli said that Rome's sudden de-
bo, President Chandrika Bandaran-
from eastern parts of the island, ex-
cision this week to refuse a United
aike Kumaratunga has been keen for
posing Government units there to
military successes against the rebels
States request to station F-117A
costly attacks by the rebels.
to strengthen prospects for winning
Stealth bombers at an Italian air
Western military attachés doubt
approval of a plan she put forward
that a new offensive can succeed
base was not a bargaining chip, but a
last month for ending the 12-year-old
before the autumn rains neutralize
"contingent decision" that depends
war.
much of the Government's advan-
on Italy's future role in the Bosnian
The plan would create strong new
tage in tanks and other heavy weap-
peace process.
regional authorities in Sri Lanka,
-Italy has provided air bases and
ons.
"They've left it too late," one atta-
logistical support for NATO opera-
Miles
Palali Air Base
ché said. "The best they can do now
tions during the three-and-a-half-
0
50
is to wait for their next chance in the
year Bosnian war, assistance which
=Jafina
spring."
it feels has been taken for granted by
INDIA
Bay of
its NATO Allies. Recently, Italy has
Bengal
been pressing for a greater role in
international negotiations over Bos-
Gulf of
Mannar
Trincomalee
nia, including a place within the five-
nation contact group.
SRI LANKA
Other members of the contact
CHINA
group are reportedly wary of includ-
INDIA
Colombo
ing Italy for fear of encouraging oth-
er countries to try to join a group
Ratmalana
SRI
that is unwieldy enough as it is.
LANKA
Air Base
In the meantime, Pope John Paul
II announced today that he had sum-
moned bishops from across the for-
The New York Times
mer Yugoslavia to a meeting at the
An army plane crashed trying to
Vatican next month, to examine how
return to the base at Ratmalana.
the Roman Catholic Church can aid
the peace process. The Vatican has
encouraged the international rescue
previously a strongly centralized
of the Muslim-led Bosnian Goverr
state. Among the new regions would
ment, and has kept silent so far
be one where Sri Lanka's northern
the NATO bombing camr
Tamil population, accounting for
about 2 million of the country's 18-
million people, would gain a wide
degree of self-rule.
But Tamil Tigers leaders have
called the plan a formula for "pro-
tracted war." Opposition parties that
draw their backing from the island's
majority Sinhalese have also con-
demned it.
Since the collapse of a cease-fire in
April, Mrs. Bandaranaike, a Sinha-
lese who was elected President last
year on a pledge to end discrimina-
tion against Tamils and reduce mili-
tary pressure on the rebels, has
approved a military buildup that
includes more than $100 million in
weapons purchases. The plane that
crashed today, one of three delivered
by the Ukraine in July, was among
these purchases.
THE WASHINGTON POST
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1995
By Steven Mufson
In platform negotiations, the Vatican
prohibiting discrimination against
Washington Post Foreign Service
and Islamic nations have won compro-
women mentions sexual orientation
mises over language that they felt
as part of a long list of those protect-
BEIJING, Sept. 13-Delegates to
sanctioned or encouraged nontradition-
ed.
the U.N. Fourth World Conference on
al families or sexual promiscuity. And
Sexual relations-The document
Women, rushing to complete a con-
they teamed up with other nations to
overcame objections from Islamic and
sensus "Platform for Action," have
push for the clause that acknowledged
Catholic nations. It says: "Equal rela-
struck deals covering women's rights
cultural and religious traditions.
tionships between women and men in
in the politically sensitive areas of
But many people remained unsatis-
matters of sexual relations and repro-
sexuality, inheritance, family and the
fied. Annetta Moran, part of a New
duction, including full respect for the
responsibility of parents in the "repro-
Zealand antiabortion group, said the
integrity of the person, require mutu-
ductive health" of girls.
conference had "focused ad nauseum
al respect, consent and shared re-
With just two days remaining,
on sexual rights and sexual orientation"
sponsibility for sexual behavior and
women's groups say they have kept
and that it was "full of hypocrisy." Mor-
its consequences."
language they won in the Cairo con-
an said that the document should cast
Parents-The health section men-
ference on population last year and
off "feminist newspeak" and protect the
tions both parental responsibilities as
made further progress in defining
rights of unborn children.
well as children's need for privacy.
women's rights, asserting that wom-
Some of the key issues and lingo
This comes up in the context of
en should have greater say in political
ironed out so far include:
whether minors need parental ap-
decision making, promoting women's
Family-Should references use the
proval for abortion. The compromise
economic "empowerment" and giving
singular or plural form of "family"?
illustrates why this document is more
women more control over their sexu-
Catholic and Islamic nations argued
than 130 pages long.
al lives.
that the plural implied approval of
It said: "Taking into account the
"Ten years ago, you couldn't talk
nontraditional families, such as lesbi-
rights of the child to access to infor-
about women even having sexuality,
an couples, single parents and people
mation, privacy, confidentiality, re-
U.N. Women's Meeting Settles Key
much less having rights pertaining to
living together with out-of-wedlock
spect and informed consent, as well
it," said Dorothy Thomas of New
children. They wanted the document
as responsibility rights and duties of
York-based Human Rights Watch.
to refer to women's role "in the fami-
Up to 25 of the 180 nations are ex-
parents and legal guardians to pro-
ly," meaning married couples and
vide, in a manner consistent with the
pected to express "reservations"
their children.
about any one of the platform's dozen
evolving capacities of the child, ap-
"Family" won out, but a follow-up
sections. In addition, a key part of the
propriate direction and informed
phrase points out that the word
introduction being negotiated tonight
guidance in the exercise by the child
means different things to different
could serve as a loophole for many na-
of the rights recognized in the con-
people. The platform also says: "The
tions. It would assert that the docu-
vention on the rights of the child, and
family is the basic unit of society and
ment should be enforced with regard
in conformity with the convention on
as such should be strengthened."
for different cultural and religious tra-
the elimination of all forms of dis-
Inheritance-Women's groups
ditions.
compromised with Islamic govern-
crimination against women. In all ac-
The document drawn up at this 12-
ments, which had battled to use the
tions concerning children, the best in-
day conference will have no binding
word "equity" instead of "equality" in
terests of the child shall be a primary
effect, as China demonstrated. After
the inheritance passage. Islamic gov-
consideration."
losing a debate over whether coun-
ernments believed that the word eq-
Gender-Delegates agreed it
tries should use "coercive" laws to
uity allowed a more flexible interpre-
means simply men and women and
control women's ability to choose the
tation. In four places, the passage
not five different sexual preferences
number of children they have, China
now reads that there will be "equal
as some groups suggested.
announced that it would stick to its
access to inheritance." In one it gives
Commitments-More than 50
strict one-child policy anyway.
children an "equal right" to inheri-
countries have outlined a series of
"It's a necessity, not a luxury," said
tance. It was, one organizer said, "a
measures they plan to take to bolster
Foreign Ministry spokesman Chen
balancing act."
the status of women after the confer-
Jian, who noted that U.N. documents
Coercive policies-The docu-
ence.
"are only recommendations and are
ment's health section condemns "co-
Many of these were existing meas-
not legally binding."
ercive medical laws and practices," a
ures repackaged for the conference.
Nonetheless, many women felt
direct slap at China for a one-child
Before the conference wealthy na-
they have won significant victories
policy that is often enforced with
tions had made sure each country
and produced a document that could
forced abortions, sterilizations or pu-
need only commit for its own domes-
help pressure governments into
nitive fines. China tried unsuccessful-
tic actions. Wherever the document
changing laws and practices that dis-
ly to water the section down, arguing
requested "new and additional re-
criminate against or oppress women.
that the word "laws" should be dele-
sources," the United States cut out
Four issues have been given partic-
ted because all laws are coercive.
the "new and additional" portion.
ular prominence. Violence against
The document also endorses sexu-
women ranging from domestic vio-
"This Platform of Action is mean-
al choices without "coercion, discrimi-
lence to wartime abuse, barely men-
ingless unless it is supported by new
nation or violence." That terminolo-
tioned at the last major women's con-
and additional resources," said Sarla
ference in Nairobi, is a centerpiece of
gy, one negotiator said, could
Gopalan, India's secretary for women
the platform. It also stresses the need
eventually be used to help a woman
and child welfare.
for innovative banks and other finan-
being sold as a slave in rural China, or
Secretary of Health and Human
cial mechanisms to help "empower"
an unwilling child bride in India, or an
Services Donna Shalala last week
women economically.
American woman whose husband had
said that the United States had a se-
For the first time, women are said
raped her.
ries of initiatives planned, but little in
to have the right to "make decisions
Human rights-The final docu-
the way of new money, either for its
related to their sexual and reproduc-
ment refers to "human rights," delet-
own citizens or for foreign aid. "It is
tive health"-giving them the right to
ing the modifying phrase "universally
clear for anyone that reads the Amer-
just say no. And governments have
recognized human rights." Human
ican papers about what's happening
been asked to make commitments to
rights groups had campaigned for the
to our budgets that we are not going
come up with the money to follow
deletion, arguing that human rights
to have additional resources to add,"
through on the issues raised at the
don't need to be recognized.
she said.
conference.
Women's groups also beat back an
Today's negotiations took place as
effort to add a clause to the human
government delegates showed signs
rights section that would have al-
FOR MORE INFORMATION
of fatigue from 10 days of talks. On
lowed modification for religious, cul-
For a full text of the proposed U.N.
Tuesday night, a Vatican delegate
tural or national law.
action platform for the conference,
yelled at other delegates during one
Sexual orientation-A move by the
see Digital Ink, The Post's on-line
exchange. Another delegate said that
European Union to guarantee rights
service. To learn about Digital Ink,
a 3½ hour session was so fatuous that
of people regardless of sexual orien-
call 1-800-510-5104, ext. 9000.
the page in her notes from the session
tation was thwarted. But sections
was blank. A bleary-eyed Timothy E.
Wirth, U.S. assistant secretary of
state for global affairs, said he was
"conferenced out."
File
Belging
THE NEW YORK TIMES, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1995
Star at Conference on Women: Banker Who Lends to the Poor
wide. While the figure today is ap-
and profitable program that also
proaching 10 million, it represents
does a lot of social good."
only 2 percent of the estimated 500
Mr. Yunus began his experiment
By PATRICK E. TYLER
money SO they could become self-
women," said Nancy Barry, a for-
proaching $500 million this year,
million women worldwide who have
in 1976 by lending to poor women in a
BEIJING, Sept. 13 - If there is one
sufficient entrepreneurs.
mer official with the World Bank and
making it the largest bank in the
virtually no access to credit. Because
village near the University of Chitta-
man who has achieved stardom of
"Access to credit should be a
president of Women's World Bank-
world serving the poor.
the concept remains largely discon-
gong, where he was a lecturer. He
nected to the mainstream of interna-
sorts at the United Nations Fourth
human right," Mr. Yunus says, "ir-
ing, which works with governments
The bank has made small loans to
noticed that while many of the wom-
World Conference on Women, it is
respective of economic situation."
and financial institutions to stimu-
two million families in 35,000 villages
tional banking, many of the advo-
en had the skill and the motivation to
cates here hope to organize a summit
prosper, their businesses were
the soft-spoken economist from Ban-
He is a pioneer in extending "mi-
late small loans to women and create
in Bangladesh, where more than 90
meeting on micro-banking in Wash-
drained by money lenders who
gladesh who wandered into a desper-
cro-credit" for "micro-enterprises,"
small-scale lending cooperatives and
percent of the borrowers are women
ington next year.
charged usurious rates. So he lent
ately poor village 20 years ago and
a poverty-fighting strategy. that is
banks run by women.
and repayment rates exceed 90 per-
"Traditional commercial bankers
money without collateral and creat-
got an idea that is changing the face
widely supported by delegates to
Mr. Yunus says the owners of capi-
cent. Since Grameen served as the
have not been trained to consider
ed cells of five women who each
of banking.
the conference. In its "Platform for
tal can be convinced that the poor
first large-scale demonstration that
this sector of borrowers," said Kath-
could receive loans and guaranteed
"Capital does not need to be the
Action," the conference is seeking a
represent a large, untapped credit
the poor are creditworthy, the con-
leen Weber, an investment broker
the repayment of the others. One
handmaiden only of the rich," said
commitment from governments and
market where survival instincts and
cept has branched out to Latin Amer-
with Smith Barney Harris Upham &
might buy a duck to sell eggs; an-
the economist, Muhammad Yunus,
financial institutions to expand cred-
local skills make the borrowers a
ican, Africa and Asia.
Company in Bellevue, Wash. "Lend-
other cloth to sew; another bamboo
who founded the Grameen Bank to
it to poor women around the world.
good risk. As proof, the Grameen
In 1985, micro-credit institutions
ing to the destitute is so totally for-
to make stools.
help poor people, especially women,
"We need to teach commercial
Bank had a loan volume of nearly
and small credit cooperatives had
eign to their education but it is prov-
"Someone had to demonstrate that
by lending them small amounts of
banks how to lend to low-income
$400 million last year and is ap-
about one million customers world-
ing itself to be a viable, sustainable
it really works," he said.
Irish Priest's Tale Stirs Furor About AIDS and Unprotected Sex
The priest visited the woman several
ple had tested positive for the virus
times, trying to persuade her to get
and 484 who were afflicted with the
medical help.
disease. She said she believed that
By JAMES F. CLARITY
the same level as in other European
lighting technicians seeking the vic-
pulpit to publicize the situation.
"The girl herself said that she
because many people hide their ill-
DUBLIN, Sept. 13 - A Roman
countries, moderate by comparison
tims and the unidentified woman.
Government health officials have
went out of her way to do the best she
ness, the true level is two or three
Catholic parish priest has stirred a
with the United States or Africa.
The story has been prominent on
said that because female-to-male
could to spread it," Father Kennedy
times higher. Since the late 1980's,
wave of national concern by assert-
"I haven't seen anything like it,"
national television and on the front
sexual transmission of H.I.V. is diffi-
recalled. "She refused to allow any-
249 people have died of AIDS.
ing that an Irishwoman infected with
said Sharon Oye, director of the Dub-
pages of all Irish newspapers, with
cult, they serjously doubt that the
one to wear condoms. The motive
"Because in the 80's we never saw
the AIDS virus sought to avenge her
lin Aids Alliance. "It's quite incrédi-
the tabloids publishing headlines like
woman could have directly infected
was to try to spread the virus."
the huge epidemic everybody be-
condition by deliberately having un-
ble that there has been such a mania.
"Last Days of AIDS Avenger" and
as many men as the priest has esti-
He said the woman, who was well
lieved would happen, that there
protected sex with dozens of Irish-
The mania is media driven, but it is
"Save Us From AIDS Hell."
mated: 14 men who have asserted
educated and had independent
would be an epidemic in the country,
men in the south of the country and
expressing concerns of the people."
Hundreds have called radio shows
testing positive for the AIDS virus,
means to support herself in the sea-
people thought it could never happen
- in an assertion that the medical
With his statement about the case,
expressing fear, anger and both sym-
side town, had told him that she
and possibly 50 or 60 more.
to them," she said.
authorities doubt - transmitting the
saying it was intended to alert the
pathy and condemnation of the wom-
Father Kennedy gave this ac-
received the virus from an English
"But now people are concerned
virus to at least 14 of them.
community to the risk of AIDS, the
an and of the way Father Kennedy
drug addict. Eventully, she went to a
count: In January he was told by a
and upset. Our phones are jumping.
Whatever the facts of the case, it
Rev. Michael Kennedy, a priest in
disclosed the situation - at Mass
London clinic, where she is now dy-
young man that a woman with whom
One positive thing is that people are
ing, he said. He has refused to name
has raised a furor about AIDS that
the southern coastal town of Dungar-
last Saturday and Sunday. Father
now talking about H.I.V. and sex and
he had sexual relations for several
her or the infected men.
the country has never encountered
van, has drawn scores of Irish and
people want a clearer account of
Kennedy's superior, Bishop William
months told him that she had AIDS.
Ms. Oye, of the Dublin AIDS Alli-
before. AIDS in Ireland is at about
British reporters and sound and
what is happening and up to date
Lee, has criticized the use of the
Four other young men said the same.
ance, said that in Ireland, 1,570 peo-
information on safe sex."
THE NEW YORK TIMES, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1995
What U.S. Business Wants From Immigration
To the Editor:
skilled Americans, but not at indus-
more frequently expressed on Capi-
Re "Liberals Duck Immigration
try's behest. JERRY J. JASINOWSKI
tol Hill and on Main Street.
Debate" (Op-Ed, Sept. 7) by Michael
President
Similarly, the Oriental Exclusion
Lind: American manufacturing no
National Assn. of Manufacturers
Acts of 1882 and 19021 (not repealed
longer has an interest in maintain-
Washington, Sept. 11, 1995
until 1943) were racially inspired.
ing a mass influx of unskilled,
Asians, mostly Chinese nationals,
low-wage immigrants. While a large
first arrived in California in 1848.
number of unskilled laborers helped
A Policy of Compassion
Over the years, as the number of
fuel the Industrial Revolution, the
To the Editor:
Asians grew, SO did xenophobia.
technology-driven plants and offices
In "Liberals Duck Immigration
Americans denounced Asians for,
of today's competitive global econ-
Debate" (Op-Ed, Sept. 7), Michael
among other things, unsanitary and
omy require the expertise of
Lind dismisses the contention that
immoral habits.
skilled workers.
"sinister racist 'scapegoating' is a
During the economic depression of
Unskilled foreigners may be dis-
motivation behind the argument that
the 1870's, anti-Asian sentiment rose
placing some American workers in
legal immigrants take jobs away
to such a level that numerous Asians
low-pay service jobs, but these immi-
from American citizens. Yet he is
were victims of mob violence. In-
grants enter the country through
quick to assert that "the white and
stead of protecting hard-working
family-reunification immigration
black working poor have been fleeing
residents who built our national rail-
and illegal means - not through
the metropolitan areas of California,
roads, Congress excluded them.
business-sponsored immigration.
where the economic competition
The eradication of racíal and na-
The National Association of Manu-
with Latin American and Asian new-
tional origin quotas from the laws of
facturers is interested in the immi-
comers is the most intense."
immigration did not occur until 1965.
gration issue, but only to maintain
Mr. Lind's anti-immigration senti-
Mr. Lind erroneously claims that our
the employment-based immigration
ment is commonplace, and his choice
immigration policy since then is
that provides American companies
of words is banal compared with
"tailored to the convenience of the
with the essential technical expertise
other expressions in the media and in
American overclass."
in short supply in the United States.
Washington. After all, immigrant-
Our immigration policy is tailored
The shortage of available expert
bashing is in style once again.
to the American family, the Ameri-
workers is a growing concern of
The history of immigration in the
can worker, the American employer
American business.
United States is far from wonderful.
and people fleeing from persecution.
A survey by Arthur Anderson's
Bigotry was the direct cause of the
The overwhelming majority of
Enterprise Group found that a quar-
closing of America's doors to legal
permanent visas approved by the
ter of small businesses surveyed
immigrants in the 1920's. As more
Government are issued to relatives
fear that the lack of qualified work-
of United States citizens and lawful
ers will hamper their growth. Indeed,
permanent residents. That is, family
in Ohio, the shortage of qualified
reunification is at the heart of Amer-
workers is already a reality. The
ican immigration policy. Visas are
State Bureau of Employment Serv-
also issued to foreign investors who
ices was unable to find a single can-
wish to come to the United States and
didate in the state to fill one manu-
infuse their money and energy to
facturer's tool-and-die opening.
build a mighty enterprise.
It is important that American in-
Other employment-based visas
dustry continue to have access to a
are issued to foreign-national work-
limited number of skilled foreign
ers but, save for a few extraordinary
workers who are in short supply.
cases, only after the Department of
Only 140,000 highly skilled immi-
Labor certifies that there is no Unit-
grants - less than 1 percent of the
ed States citizen who would perform
American work force - are allowed
the required task.
into the United States under law.
With the labor certification
They help educate and train native
process, current law prevents for-
workers, give United States compa-
eign-alien workers from taking away
nies a leg up in the development of
jobs from American workers.
cutting-edge technology and expand
Viktor Koen
The social, political and economic
overseas markets for American-
contribution of immigrants to this
made products, thereby creating jobs
Italians and Jews entered the United
country is and always has been tre-
for American citizens. Waves of un-
States at the turn of the century, anti-
mendous.
E. SIMON RAPHAEL
skilled immigrants may be dragging
Roman Catholic and anti-Semitic at-
New York, Sept. 9, 1995
down the pay levels of similarly un-
titudes became more popular and
The writer is an immigration lawyer.
Mr. Bush Stumbles in China
George Bush inexplicably seems to be amused
George Bush, of all people, should know better
by China's benighted handling of the international
than to make light of sensitive issues in United
women's meeting in Beijing. On his own visit to
States-China relations at a particularly delicate
China this week, the former President told a gather-
moment in relations between the two countries. He
ing of food executives, "I feel somewhat sorry for
surely would not have appreciated it if a predeces-
the Chinese having Bella Abzug running around in
sor had sent messages conflicting with official
China."
policy when he occupied the White House.
The thoughtless remark is insulting to Ms.
As a private citizen, Mr. Bush is entitled to
Abzug, but more broadly it betrays a baffling insen-
express his own views on his paid speaking tour of
sitivity to China's crude efforts to muzzle the wom-
Asia. But as a former President and former chief
en. It undercuts Hillary Rodham Clinton's strong
American diplomat in Beijing, he should be aware
criticism of the Chinese conduct last week.
that the Chinese weigh his words carefully, looking
Ms. Abzug was a main coordinator of an unoffi-
for hidden diplomatic meanings or domestic politi-
cial forum attended by thousands of women from
cal divisions that might be exploited in forthcoming
around the world. The Chinese authorities hounded
meetings with Secretary of State Warren Christo-
the women with visa restrictions and intrusive
pher and perhaps President Clinton himself.
police snooping and videotaping. When Mrs. Clinton
China's clumsy efforts to silence the women in
addressed the forum, senior Clinton Administration
Beijing and to wall off its own people from confer-
officials had to shove their way past a line of
ence activities are not trivial matters. They are
Chinese security agents to attend. Mr. Bush's flip-
reflections of a repressive dictatorship that should
pant remark makes light of such behavior, sending
make any American wary, particularly a former
exactly the wrong message to China's leaders.
President.
THE NEW YORK TIMES, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1995
.N. Juggles Funds to Stay Afloat, Expert Says
the committee, elaborating on a
state-of-the-organization report re-
leased by Secretary General Boutros
By BARBARA CROSSETTE
and a former chief executive officer
The United Nations has no capital
Boutros-Ghali on Monday.
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 12 -
at Price Waterhouse, told an over-
fund and cannot borrow from banks,
The United Nations already owes
The United Nations has run out of
sight committee. If nations in ar-
SO meeting expenditures is almost
more than $900 million to nations
money to pay its regular operating
rears do not pay their debts, the
always an exercise in robbing Peter
that provide peacekeeping troops,
expenses and is being forced to bor-
diversion of funds from peacekeep-
to pay Paul, officials say. But unex-
Mr. Connor said, and at the current
ing will rise to $200 million by the end
pected new expenditures, like the
rate the amount owed is projected to
row from peacekeeping funds, which
of October and to $300 million in
establishment of war crimes tribu-
reach more than $1.2 billion by the
are also strained, an American ac-
November, he said.
nals for Rwanda and the former Yu-
end of the year.
counting expert in charge of finan-
Mr. Connor said United Nations
goslavia; the loss of money in cur-
Mr. Connor, who was appointed to
cial management here told a General
members are now about $3.7 billion
rency exchanges because of the de-
his position at the urging of the Unit-
Assembly committee today.
in arrears in paying both regular and
pressed value of the dollar, and fears
ed States, said the Secretary General
The regular budget ran out of cash
peacekeeping assessments, up from
that Washington will delay payments
has ordered a freeze on recruitment,
in mid-August and $98 million has
$2.8 billion at the end of May. He said
even more than usual this year have
limits on staff overtime and travel,
been borrowed from the peacekeep-
the United States owes the largest
exacerbated the crisis.
delays in payments to vendors and
ing budget since then, Joseph E. Con-
amount, $1.18 billion. Estimates of
"This year the situation is differ-
the issuing of monthly instead of
nor, Under Secretary General for
the shortfall differ because of vary-
ent because the amounts involved
semimonthly salary checks. More
Administration and Management
ing projections and methodology.
are unprecedented," Mr. Connor told
drastic measures are planned.
At Women's Forum, Peru's Leader Defies Church
By PATRICK E. TYLER
the state, and he warned that Catho-
conference will assert a woman's
BEIJING, Sept. 12 - Peru's Presi-
Seeking support at
lics would be committing a "grave
"equality" in inheritance. Some Is-
dent, Alberto K. Fujimori, arrived
sin" if they availed themselves of the
lamic countries are expected to with-
here tonight and said he would speak
home from the
new birth control procedures.
hold their support for this part of the
out at the international women's con-
As Mr. Fujimori arrived, the wom-
final text, while joining the overall
ference here against the Vatican's
world's women.
en's conference was still a grinding
consensus.
opposition to contraceptives.
marathon of negotiations behind
From other negotiations Monday
He said in an interview late tonight
closed doors seeking to reach con-
night and today, the conference ap-
that he hopes to persuade other
sensus on language for its final "plat-
pears to have reached agreement on
South American leaders to take part
more than half the people live in
form for action."
the inclusion of language urging gov-
in a coalition he is trying to form to
poverty. In rural areas, many fam-
Delegates and lobbyists reported
ernments not to punish women who
break the Vatican's influence over
ilies have more than 10 children.
especially tough going on the ques-
have had abortions and establishing
the South American continent's esti-
Abortion remains illegal. Initial pub-
tion of inheritance rights for women,
a standard for parental responsibil-
mated 250 million Catholics on fam-
lic opinion polls indicate that Peruvi-
which are denied in some African
ities in the sexual health of adoles-
ily planning issues.
ans overwhelmingly approve the
countries and are subordinated to
cents.
"I will propose this is a very im-
spread of birth control education and
men in many Islamic countries. A
"On parental rights, we've
portant subject for South America
access to family planning services.
majority of nations here are deter-
reached a reasonable compromise
and we should join our forces," he
"The Catholic Church has quite a
mined to affirm a woman's equality
that recognizes that children have a
said. "If we succeed as I expect in
strong power, and with a very large
in inheriting the land and property of
need for confidentiality and privacy,
Peru, then the way will be easier for
and influential network, and this is
husbands and fathers. But both Iran
but also that parents have a role to
other countries.
one of our obstacles in succeeding in
and Sudan have pressed for recogni-
play," said Marcy Wilder, legal di-
His sudden decision to address the
family planning," he said.
tion of Islamic law, under which
rector of the National Abortion and
Fourth World Conference on Women
The Catholic Church of Peru has
wives and daughters.are treated as a
Reproductive Rights Action League.
in its closing days was a significant
development as the Vatican and a
mounted a vigorous campaign
sheltered class and are entitled to a
However, another advocacy group,
number of countries with large Mus-
against Mr. Fujimori's family plan-
smaller portion of inheritances than
the Family Life Coalition, called it
lim or Catholic populations were
ning program, announced July 28.
men are.
"an antiparental rights document"
A member of the American dele-
that "will cause firestorms in the
making their final efforts to influ-
Legislation passed on Friday by Pe-
ence the language of the confer-
ru's Congress allowing voluntary va-
gation, Geraldine Ferraro, predicted
United States" because it "encour-
sectomies for men and tubal liga-
today that the declaration of this
ages sex for unmarried girls."
ence's policy declarations on the
rights of women to family planning
tions for women as birth control op-
services and to safe reproductive
tions was denounced by church lead-
health care.
ers as a move for the "mutilation" of
It was not immediately clear
men and women by the "power of
whether his appearance would have
darkness."
any effect on the positions being tak-
Mr. Fujimori, a Catholic and the
en by other Latin American coun-
son of Japanese Buddhist immi-
tries, some of which are working
grants, said, "We are not trying to
closely with the Vatican.
confront the church, but rather to
Though the language adopted in
help poor women and to express our
the final documents at the United
solidarity to the women's move-
Nations conference here will not be
ment."
binding on governments, Mr. Fuji-
Cardinal Augusto Vargas Alza-
mori's mission to Beijing is one indi-
mora, Roman Catholic Primate of
cation of the importance of these
Peru, said, "My feeling is one of deep
international forums in influencing
sadness because at this moment,
national debate.
when Peru needs God's protection to
He said he would arm himself with
emerge from many problems, the
the majority views expressed here in
country accepts a law that goes
favor of family planning to defend
against the law of God."
his administration at home.
In a radio address during the
Peru's population of 23 million is
weekend, he said his followers were
90 percent Roman Catholic, and
"guinea pigs" being manipulated by
The Washington Times
SEPTEMBER 13, 1995 *
Governors favor
U.S.-backed draft
Medicaid grants
on children's rights
Seek fair formula to fund states' needs
irks conservatives
"They do not want micro-
By Nancy E. Roman
management from Washington if
prised by the action because first
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
By George Archibald
lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, in a
they are going to be expected to
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Republican governors have
run these programs with less
speech to the conference last
agreed on broad outlines of a fed-
money," he said.
Pro-family advocates at the U.N.
week, had called for respect for
eral Medicaid reform plan that
Republican governors would
women's conference reacted an-
those who oppose their govern-
grily yesterday to draft language
ments.
gives states the money to insure
also like to see the end of Medicaid
their needy, but they are still feud-
as an entitlement.
adopted by a committee with U.S.
A security officer, who declined
ing over how the money should be
Medicaid is now guaranteed to
support that they feel places the
to give his name, said a decision
divvied among them.
welfare recipients, women and
rights of children above those of
would be made today on whether
House and Senate leaders are
children whose family income is
their parents.
the women would be allowed to
working to reform the federal
less than 133 percent of the pov-
U.N. security guards led away
participate in the rest of the con-
health insurance program for the
erty level, elderly or blind who
five American women and an Aus-
ference, which ends Friday.
nation's poor and disabled, pro-
recieve Supplemental Security In-
tralian who unfurled a protest ban-
Purificacion Quisumbing, re-
jected to grow faster than any
come, and to needy Medicare
ner at the end of a press briefing
gional adviser for the U.N. Chil-
where leaders of the U.S. delega-
dren's Fund for East Asia and the
other federal program at a rate of
beneficiaries.
about 11 percent a year.
Federal spending is tied to state
tion explained the language that
Pacific, explained some provi-
Republicans hope to save $187
spending, with no limits on federal
was agreed upon late Monday.
sions of the Convention on the
billion over seven years by sending
contributions. In 1995, the federal
The protesters, who had been
Rights of the Child in an earlier
the federal money to the states in
government will spend about $89
told earlier in the week that the
interview.
block grants, capping the rate of
billion on Medicaid.
American delegates were working
She said health care, including
growth, and leaving it to governors
Rep. James C. Greenwood,
to protect parental rights, said
confidential sexual counseling
to argue over the best formula for
Pennsylvania Republican and
they felt betrayed by the draft lan-
and contraceptive services, would
distributing the cash.
member of the Commerce Com-
guage which explicitly endorses
be required upon a child's request,
Twelve Republican governors
mittee drafting the Medicaid re-
rights spelled out in the 1989 U.N.
with or without parental authority,
convene in Washington today to
form, said he favors beginning
Convention on the Rights of the
depending on decisions by govern-
continue that discussion and sort
with the current formula, and
Child.
ment officials.
That convention, which has
"The best interests of that child
out other Medicaid problems.
modifying it over seven years to
Northeastern states that have
favor population shifts. He said
never been ratified by the U.S.
shall be a primary consideration
traditionally provided generous
that would help to compensate
Senate, remains highly controver-
so that the child has a legal
Medicaid benefits want the for-
states that offer more generous
sial among conservative pro-
personality and can make a de-
mula for block granting to be
benefits and then attract more
family groups that feel it opens the
cision for herself," Mrs. Quisum-
based on previous spending. High-
Medicaid recipients.
door to government interference
bing said.
growth states - like Texas and
Mr. Greenwood favors block
in family matters and subordi-
"There is no attempt to erode
California - would rather weight
granting Medicaid: "But we've got
nates parents' rights to those of
the family in the convention."
the formula in favor of growth and
to keep in mind that a large per-
their children.
The family advocates, however,
per-capita income.
centage of Medicaid recipients
The language, which must still
argued that the children's-rights
"The governors are still dis-
are senior citizens, mentally re-
be approved by the full confer-
language was part of a total
cussing it. There has been some
tarded and mentally ill. I'm not
ence, spells out "the rights of the
agenda that promotes sexual pro-
progress, but at this point there
sure where I go with that thought,
child to access to information, pri-
miscuity and other activities that
are no agreements," said Mike
but it's an important thought."
vacy, confidentiality, respect, and
have led to a breakdown of fam-
Lawrence, press secretary for
Several aides on the hill say
informed consent."
ilies and moral values in the
Gov. Jim Edgar, Illinois Republi-
Medicaid is a sleeper issue.
It also describes the "responsi-
United States and the industrial-
can and chairman of the Repub-
Medicare - the federal health
bilities, rights and duties of par-
ized world.
lican Governors Association task
insurance system for the nation's
ents and legal guardians to pro-
A coalition of 20 religious and
force on Medicaid.
elderly - has dominated both the
vide appropriate direction and
pro-family groups said the provi-
"When you get down to details,
news and House Speaker Newt
informed guidance of the
sion would allow adolescent and
it gets a little tougher," Mr. Law-
Gingrich's agenda.
rights recognized in the Conven-
teen-age children to use contra-
rence said. "Some states could be
Medicare's constituency is 38
tion on the Rights of the Child."
ceptives and possibly have abor-
winners and some could be losers,
million senior citizens - many of
It adds: "In all actions concern-
tions without their parents' knowl-
and so the idea is to try to come up
whom vote - in contrast with
ing children, the best interests of
edge or consent.
with a formula for distributing the
Medicaid's less politically potent
the child shall be a primary con-
They say it would also drive a
funds that will get support - if not
sideration."
constituency - about 33 million
wedge between parents and chil-
of everyone - of enough."
welfare recipients, disabled per-
The Vatican, which has been a
dren by allowing the state to side
He said governors have agreed
sons and many confined elderly.
major defender of family rights at
with rebellious children and third
to slow the program's rate of
James D. Todd, executive vice
the women's conference, partici-
parties that oppose parents'
growth in exchange for flexibility.
president of the American Medi-
pated in the committee that
wishes.
They do not want the federal gov-
cal Association, and John S. Zapp,
drafted the language but still may
Bonnie J. Campbell, a senior
ernment setting prices for physi-
executive director of the Amer-
register a formal reservation.
Justice Department official, said:
cians, requiring them to negotiate
ican Dental Association, wrote to
The pro-family advocates, an-
"It is important for all of us to
with all physicians or deciding
Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole
gered when U.S. delegates said at
understand that women have
which states may experiment in
last week, urging him to safeguard
yesterday's press briefing that
rights and children have rights as
designing health insurance pro-
Medicaid's function as a safety net
they had worked hard for three
well.
grams for the poor.
for the nation's most vulnerable.
days to help achieve the compro-
"As we apply these, there's a bal-
mise language, unfurled a banner
ancing of rights. Your right stops
that read "U.S. delegation ignores
precisely where my rights begin.
pro-family U.S. women."
When it comes to the family,
U.N. security men came for the
there are not that many instances
women and led them to an office in
when we intervene."
the Beijing International Confer-
Melinda Kimble, deputy assis-
ence Center, where they were
tant secretary of state for interna-
stripped of their delegate creden-
tional organization affairs, said,
tials.
"This is not seen as anti-family by
One of the women, Karen
pro-family delegations," including
McNeill of Life Choices in Mem-
the Holy See. "Both children and
phis, Tenn., said later she was sur-
parents have rights."
The Washington Times
SEPTEMBER 13, 1995 *
The interview, conducted by
No 'angry agenda,'
Mrs. Terzian, is the second in a
series with wives of Republican
presidential hopefuls. The first
was with Wendy Gramm, wife of
no feminists at new
Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas. Miss
Crittenden said Mrs. Gramm is
"on our board."
The fall issue will feature an in-
terview with Gayle Wilson, wife of
Women's Quarterly
California Gov. Pete Wilson. And
Miss Crittenden said the magazine
is hoping to run a fourth and final
interview with Elizabeth Dole,
Magazine called an 'antidote to Ms.'
wife of Senate Majority Leader
Bob Dole.
But a lot of essays" in the mag-
noted that the current summer is-
azine "are not political at all," the
By Joyce Price
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
sue, which is only the fourth issue
magazine's editor said. She used
the term "old-fashioned" to de-
of the quarterly publication, con-
At first glance, the Women's
tains "nine meaty and interesting
scribe many of the stances the
Quarterly looks like a longer-than-
articles" on a range of cultural is-
magazine takes.
normal newsletter. But initial ap-
sues.
The women who put out the
pearances are deceiving.
"We write the other side of cul-
magazine practice what they
Editor Danielle Crittenden
ture issues that don't get serious
preach. Mrs. Terzian, the pub-
stresses "it's not a newsletter," but
coverage" elsewhere, said Miss
lisher, does most of her work on
a groundbreaking magazine she
Crittenden. "For instance, we've
her dining-room table at home so
describes as "an intellectual anti-
gone after women attorneys who
she's there when her 4-year-old
dote to Ms."
wanted to take time off for mater-
daughter, Gracie, who just started
Even though the Women's Quar-
nity leave and get the same income
preschool classes, and her 10-year-
terly consists of only 24 pages of
as women who do not" have chil-
old son, Hillman, get home from
heavy paper and is without color
dren and thus do not require such
school.
or photographs, Miss Crittenden
breaks.
Until recently, Miss Crittenden
sees it as a major contender
Miss Crittenden pointed out that
did all of her work at home.
among periodicals.
an article in the current issue is a
Mrs. Terzian calls Miss Critten-
"Most women's publications are
"celebration of boyhood" that con-
den the "genius behind" the mag-
women/feminist this one is con-
cludes today's youths have "poorer
azine, but Miss Crittenden credits
servative in tone
In my head,
prospects than did their fathers"
Amity Shlaes, a friend of hers at
I'm competing with the New Re-
and cites affirmative action as one
the Wall Street Journal, for
public, even American Spectator,"
of the reasons.
planting the idea in her head. For
said Miss Crittenden, the wife of
An article on affirmative action
years, Miss Crittenden offered her
conservative author David Frum
that appeared in a previous issue
nonfeminist views in columns that
and mother of two who currently
of the magazine concluded women
ran on the Op-Ed page of the Wall
lives in Toronto.
won't vote in support of this issue
Street Journal.
Publisher Grace Paine Terzian
because they've "ceased to see
"This was pre-Newt," and there
of Oakton describes the Women's
benefits" from it, Miss Crittenden
were not a lot of outlets eager to
Quarterly as a "magazine for
said. One key reason for the turn-
publish such perspectives, Miss
women who are human beings
off, according to writer Ellen
Crittenden said. Ms. Shlaes sug-
first, women second."
Ladowsky, is that the white males
gested that Miss Crittenden
"We are not a propaganda publi-
"who have been the victims of af-
launch a new publication, and "she
cation.
firmative action's discrimination"
connected me with the Indepen-
We have no angry
are the husbands, brothers and
dent Women's Forum" as the vehi-
agenda," said Mrs. Terzian, also a
sons of women.
cle to make this happen, the mag-
mother of two, who admits she is
somewhat uncomfortable about
The year-old magazine is pub-
azine's editor said.
lished by the 3-year-old Indepen-
The forum, she says, "tries to do
describing the periodical as "con-
servative."
dent Women's Forum, an organi-
politically what we're trying to do
zation that promotes individual
intellectually."
"There is something universal
responsibility, strong families and
IWF agreed to finance the mag-
in our point of view. I think we have
limited government. In a May arti-
azine, which costs $15,000 to
a large market of women and
cle titled "Angry White Females,
$20,000 per issue, including mail-
men," she said, adding that the
Inc.," the Boston Globe said IWF is
ings. "But they have given me com-
women "we target" are in the
"well on its way to becoming the
plete editorial control and creative
broad ideological expanse "be-
foremost media nemesis of the
freedom," she said.
tween Gloria Steinem and Phyllis
feminist movement."
The magazine is put out by a
Schlafly."
Women are "so tired of the
staff of three - Miss Crittenden,
Women interested in the mag-
feminist-liberal viewpoint," Miss
Mrs. Terzian and art director Mitzi
azine "like to read," she said. She
Crittenden said. "So many circum-
Hamilton - with a little help from
stances of life have been politi-
their husbands.
cized by feminists that should not
"We're planning to add the name
be politicized." She cited sex and
of Dawn Saul as circulation man-
motherhood as examples.
ager to the masthead of our next
The cover story of the current
issue," Mrs. Terzian said.
issue of the Women's Quarterly
An introductory subscription
was written by Camille Harper, a
costs $16.95 a year; it is $19.95 a
resident of a Chicago crack neigh-
year thereafter. "And if you join
borhood, who described how gov-
IWF, subscription to the magazine
ernment, money to help the poor
is included in your $30 member-
actually helps gangs control the
ship cost," the publisher said.
poor.
"We don't have any advertising
In another article, writer Karen
now. We definitely hope that's part
Fejer of Toronto wonders why the
of our future," she said, adding
family meal cooked by Mom has
that Women's Quarterly staffers
become a "politically suspect act"
are "optimistic of success" in the
and decides she can bake bran
years ahead.
muffins if she wants to and doesn't
have to make excuses for it.
Currently, 5,000 copies of the
The magazine also includes a
magazine are distributed. Approx-
lengthy interview with Honey
imately, 1,000 are sent out to sub-
Alexander, wife of Republican
scribers and IWF members. The
presidential contender Lamar
remainder are sent out to news or-
Alexander. In the introduction to
ganizations and congressional of-
fices.
the interview, Mrs. Alexander is
portrayed as a woman who could
For information on the mag-
"revive the demure role of tradi-
azine, call 703/243-8989.
tional first lady."
COMMENTARY
The Washington Times
*
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1995
GEORGIE ANNE GEYER
erhaps the Beijing confer-
31, 1999? (Perhaps you even kno
P
ence on emancipated
that Mr. Perez Balladares used to
women is not the time to say
this, but a woman has a right
Revised visions of the passing scene
belong to the party of Manuel Nor-
iega and thus could be expected to
to change her mind. And this first
be an extremist super-nationalist.)
week of the new work year, I have
"Progressive" thinkers in the
changed mine on a few hot-button
nist, I bear not the slightest sym-
tain call after curtain call, fire-
1970s and even the '80s were SO
issues and individuals:
pathy for sexual harassers. But Bob
works, a joy that would not stop as
sure that we should leave the canal
First, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Packwood? A woman should really
Ripken lapped around the Balti-
to the benighted Panamanians.
Her performance in Beijing was
be ashamed of her womanhood -
more stadium. "An all-star gala as
(Frankly, I was not so sure, but in
little less than spectacular, proving,
she should skulk out of the room
much as a baseball game," The
time I bowed to my progressive
at least to me, that it is in this spe-
and hide in some dark bar - if she
Washington Post called it.
friends and instincts.)
cial inspirational venue, on issues
can't deal with the likes of Bob
Until recently I blamed the cyn-
Well now, the most interesting
she feels strongly about, that she
Packwood!
ical purveyors of popular culture
and important- - issue here is that
finds a niche that no one else in the
All indicators are that Mr. Pack-
for all the pornography, insipid tele-
70 percent of Panamanians want
world can possibly fill.
wood was a fine legislator, but, in
vision shows and seemingly endless
the United States to keep both sol-
When she spoke forcefully before
the heat of his ridiculous advances
trash that has become our popular
diers and bases there. It's partly
that "confused" (to put it kindly)
and sloppy kisses, he was just a lit-
culture. But now I blame us.
security, partly drugs, partly the
U.N. world conference -a spoke
tle skinny bothersome guy with pop
Wednesday night in the Baltimore
$500 million we spend every year.
about women's rights being human
eyes whom any self-respecting
stadium shows what a healthy, joy-
What does that say about
rights - she was acting exactly as
woman could knock over with the
ous face we can put forward as a
changes in perceptions and in real-
an American first lady should act.
slightest brush of her knuckles. For
people when we choose to honor a
ity? It says that we are already in a
(Then when she sloshed through
goodness sakes, being apparently
healthy, joyous man and not all the
wholly new foreign policy era —
the rain and through those miser-
alcoholic in those days, he says he
sick "victims" that we have allowed
that those shibboleths that asserted
able, pushing, insufferable Chinese
doesn't even remember these piti-
to so catch our attention.
every country has the right to total
police to give courage to the poor
ful attempts to "conquer" all those
It is when we, as a people, won't
independence, without any depen-
NGO women isolated out there in
women.
honor the trash - when we insist
dence on others, are frauds. It says
Huairou, which means "Welcome
Probably it is because I am one of
instead on honoring the Ripkens
to me it is time we not only in small
to the Barbarians," she deserved a
those girls from the South Side of
who are all around us — that our
part "renegotiated," as Mr. Clinton
Purple Heart!)
Chicago, but our mothers taught us
present ugly cultural morass will
and Mr. Perez Balladares are going
Why was this so right for Mrs.
to take care of little guys like that
change.
to do, but that, more important, we
Clinton? Because she was not
right on the spot. They were, frankly,
Finally, did anyone notice one
need to drop all the ideological cant
meddling and manipulating, hid-
unworthy of too much of our time or
of the most fascinating stories of the
and rethink rationally what really
ing her actions, as she did in the
attention, much less worth nursing
first week of September? The visit
best serves the majority of the peo-
unfortunate health care disaster;
grievances about for years.
of Panamanian President Ernesto
ples of the world.
she was acting as a true spokes-
Next, focus for a moment on the
Perez Balladares to see President
Whew! Those are about all the
woman for the important princi-
beautiful sight of handsome Balti-
Clinton?
changes I can stand for one Sep-
ples of the modern world. Let's
more Orioles' shortstop Cal Ripken
You remember the Panama
tember.
hope for more of this - and far
playing his 2,131st consecutive
Canal treaties of 1977? Surely you
Hillary Clinton
less of the other!
game and breaking Lou Gehrig's
recall that all American troops are
Then there is poor Sen. Bob
extraordinary record of 1939.
to be withdrawn from Panama and
Georgie Anne Geyer is a nation-
Packwood. Now, as an early femi-
Cheers that would not abate, cur-
all bases given to Panama by Dec.
ally syndicated columnist.
Illustration by Elaine Chamberlain/ Special to the Washington Times
nds of noises."
``It is clear to anyone who reads the American papers
(EDITORS: STORY CAN TRIM HERE)
about what's happening to our budgets that we are not
Indeed, NATO has a growing Russia problem. On Tuesday
going to have additional resources to add," Shalala said.
the Kremlin accused NATO of killing Serb civilians,
The debate over how to fund the ambitious Beijing
including children. Boris Yeltsin's government, in its
Platform of Action, a blueprint for women's rights over
most strongly worded objection to date, said NATO's action
the next decade, is dogging the final days of the United
threatened ``the current generation of Bosnian Serbs, who
Nations conference that ends Friday.
are actually facing genocide."
African delegates warned Tuesday that unless the rich
In response, State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns
help the starving poor, the latter soon would be migrating
said, "NATO has gone to enormous lengths over the last
to the developed nations in greater numbers.
two weeks to minimize civilian casualties during this
"We appeal to your human conscience in the name of
phase of the air war.
justice and equity to restore the equilibrium of wealth,"
Concerned about the growing rift, the Clinton
said Marie Avemeka, Congo's Minister for Women and
administration is sending presidential confidant and top
Development.
Russia expert Strobe Talbott, the deputy secretary of
But a European Union statement said it would be a
state, to Moscow this week to try to smooth over the
mistake to link additional funds to the conference targets
differences and to prepare for a Clinton-Yeltsin summit
and suggested the developing world help itself by cutting
next month.
budget deficits and embarking on more sound free-market
Britain, with a nod from Washington, is floating the
economic policies.
possibility of
Western governments have become more cautious in
a negotiated compromise in which the Serb weapons would be
pledging financial assistance after most of them failed to
withdrawn as part of a cease-fire that includes some type
deliver on promises made at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio
of protection for Serbs in the area.
de Janeiro.
Evidence that the NATO bombing may be politically
The funding debate isn't the only issue still hanging
unsustainable may give the Bosnian Serbs reason to believe
over the conference, which must accommodate the ethnic,
they can outlast the West.
religious and cultural views of 189 member nations before
Trying to put the best face on the standoff, Pentagon
it can issue its Platform of Action on women's rights.
spokesman Bacon asserted that the bombing had achieved two
Delegates said they have worked out compromise language
of the U.N. goals ``in a de facto way": The Bosnian Serb
to give a balanced say to both parents and children
military, now preoccupied with surviving, have largely
regarding decisions on contraceptives and sex education.
stopped shelling Sarajevo, and they have permitted U.N.
And the conference has managed to include a provision
food convoys to reach the long-besieged Bosnian capital.
asking some governments to reconsider laws that punish
Still, there is the problem of the big guns, which the
women who submit to illegal abortions.
Serbs have concealed in the heavily wooded hills and could
``It was a step forward from Cairo," said Jacqueline
pose a renewed threat at any time.
Jackson, chairwoman of the U.S. Planned Parenthood
The Pentagon had little success in the desert finding
Association. ``It gives women the right over their bodies,
Iraq's mobile Scud missile launchers during the Gulf War,
free of coercion and violence,"
and so far has avoided targeting Serb tanks and artillery
Jackson conceded, however, that most Arab countries
around Sarajevo.
probably would register their reservations when the issue
Instead, NATO has concentrated on fixed targets such as
comes up at the plenary session Friday. Most Muslim
ammunition dumps and transportation hubs such as bridges
nations also are expected to voice opposition to granting
that are less risky to go after. But NATO soon will run
women inheritance rights, something that often is reserved
out of easier targets, prompting a decision whether to
exclusively for men in their countries.
broaden its air war or ease up on the Bosnian Serbs.
Former U.S. Rep. Geraldine Ferraro, D-N.Y., a member of
the U.S. delegation, pointed out that while the Action
Platform document won't be binding on governments, it will
give women a collective basis for negotiating at home on
U.N. women's conference attendees agree women
women's issues.
must have equal education, but ask who will pay
But not all governments will be receptive. On Tuesday,
for it By Uli Schmetzer Chicago Tribune
China's foreign ministry spokesman, Chen Jian, said his
country won't abandon its one-child policy despite a
BEIJING Everyone at the U.N. Conference on Women
declaration by the Women's Conference that it violates a
agrees that women must have access to equal education and
woman's right to decide her sex life free of coercion and
equal economic opportunities. But who will pay for it?
violence.
Delegates from poor nations are telling their sisters
from rich nations that the deliberations here are
''It's a necessity, not a luxury," Chen said of the
one-child policy. "There is no chance for it to change."
meaningless unless advanced nations commit funds to their
Chinese authorities have been accused of forcibly
cause. Bankers agree the gap between the program and funds
sterilizing women and forcing them to undergo abortions,
available now is enormous.
sometimes five to seven months into their pregnancies.
Sarla Gopalan, India's Secretary for Women and Child
Although 130 questions remain to be resolved before the
Welfare, suggested that .7 percent of the gross domestic
final document can be submitted to a conference plenary
product of the developed nations would do nicely. She was
session, many of the opposing blocs already have declared
loudly applauded.
victory.
But there was a more cautious response by delegates
The Vatican and Islamic nations claimed that
from affluent nations who have advocated the need to offer
women small business loans and access to higher education
"radical" elements have failed in their attempt to
include language further liberalizing women's sexual
as the best remedies for poverty and dependence on male
rights, including greater access to abortions. But liberals
providers.
The developed nations, including the European Union,
said they in fact had succeeded, citing, among others, a
clause calling on some governments to review their
took their cue from Donna Shalala, U.S. Secretary of
policies of punishing women who seek illegal abortions.
Health and Human Resources, who bluntly said Washington's
For the last two days there also has been a deadlock
coffers are empty.
over four references to ``freedom of sexual orientation."
Politics on His Mind, Yeltsin Warns West on Bombing in Bosnia
my, NATO, in what used to be a clear
In an effort to keep lines open,
Soviet sphere of influence.
Chancellor Helmut Kohl of Germany
Parliamentary elections are only
visited last weekend, followed by
By STEVEN ERLANGER
harsher and more pointed as the
Croats. "How is it when the Muslims
ued, Mr. Yeltsin said, "we will have
three months away, Mr. Yeltsin and
Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind
MOSCOW, Sept. 7 - Russia's iso-
West continues, in his view, to brush
attack, no sanctions are applied
to thoroughly consider our strategy,
his Government are not popular, and
of Britain, and now Mr. González.
lation over Bosnia deepened today as
Russian reservations aside.
against them?" Mr. Yeltsin asked.
including our approach to relations
the general tenor of the nascent cam-
And the White House press secre-
an obviously frustrated President
Today he told the Spanish Prime
"The same thing happens when the
with the North Atlantic alliance."
paign is strongly nationalist. The
tary, Mike McCurry, hastened to say
Boris N. Yeltsin, domestic politics on
Minister, Felipe González, the cur-
Croats are on the offensive."
Leaving the meeting, Mr. Yeltsin
lower house of Parliament has voted
today that Russia's contribution to
his mind, warned Western leaders
rent European Union President, and
But Mr. Yeltsin's concerns are less
told reporters: "There is definite dis-
to have a special session on Bosnia
the search for peace in Bosnia is
that Moscow would have to rethink
Jacques Santer, head of the Euro-
about the Serbs and more about
crimination in relations against Rus-
on Saturday, in which members are
"very important," that Mr. Yeltsin's
its partnership with NATO if the
pean Commission, that NATO "de-
NATO expansion. Beyond Bosnia,
sia."
expected to fulminate against what
views are not ignored and that "we
alliance continued to bomb the Bos-
clares its 'peacekeeping mission' but
Mr. Yeltsin said, Russia is being ig-
Western diplomats here and in Eu-
they call the unfairness and anti-
will have further discussions with
nian Serbs.
has actually appropriated the role of
nored in efforts to create a new, post-
rope have generally put Mr. Yeltsin's
Serbian nature of NATO and Ameri-
the Russian Federation." But the
In a series of meetings over the
judge and bailiff" in Bosnia and was
cold-war concept of European secu-
remarks down to domestic politics
can policy.
White House is also seeking clarifica-
last week with European leaders,
exceeding the United Nations man-
rity. "This is impossible," he said
and a continuing frustration with the
The Russian Parliament has al-
tion about Russia's intentions to sell
Mr. Yeltsin has complained that
date there.
angrily. "This means a return to two
new Russia's comparative weakness
ready passed bills dropping sanc-
Iran up to four light-water nuclear
Russia's views on Bosnia and its
The West is employing double
camps that are at war with one an-
in the world.
tions against the Serbs and introduc-
reactors, when Washington wants
opposition to the bombing are ig-
standards, he said, bombing the
other."
Part of Russia's concern about
ing them against Croatia. Mr. Yel-
none sold and Congress is threaten-
nored by NATO. But with each meet-
Serbs while applauding the military
If the bombing of the Serbs and the
Bosnia, the diplomat said, is the ac-
tsin, despite his complaints, is ex-
ing to cut off most American aid to
ing his comments have become
exploits of the Muslims and the
dismissal of Russian views contin-
tive military presence of the old ene-
pected to veto them.
Russia in retaliation.
THE NEW YORK TIMES INTERNATIONAL FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1995
After China, Hillary Clinton Finds Mongolia a Gentler Place
she exclaimed.
women, meeting with eight women in
After watching the children dis-
the residence of the American Am.
play their riding skills along a slop-
bassador, Donald Johnson.
By SETH FAISON
deserted-looking capital. In perhaps
here was to "express support for
and a maroon shawl she bought last
ing green hill and presenting them
But despite their new-found free-
ULAN BATOR, Mongolia, Sept. 7
the biggest change, the security
Mongolian democracy and for Mon-
year in India, Mrs. Clinton entered
each with a pack of M&M's, Mrs.
dom to speak, the women - a doctor,
- Flying from China into this
agents seemed friendly.
golian independence," in the words
the musty-smelling yurt of a man
Clinton sped off to spend lunch with
a women's federation leader, a
In Beijing for two days this week,
of Assistant Secretary of State Win-
named Zanabaatar and his wife, Ha-
Mongolia's pudgy and ever-smiling
young politician among them
grassy, sparsely populated country,
Mrs. Clinton irritated her authoritar-
ston Lord, who accompanied her.
liun. She stepped carefully past the
President, Punsalmaagiyn Ochirbat,
seemed to respond with rehearsed
Hillary Rodham Clinton might be
ian hosts with a powerful speech on
But away from politics, Mrs. Clin-
silver pail of COW dung used as fuel
and his wife, Tsevelomaa.
speeches. Mrs. Clinton's questions
forgiven today for feeling as though
human rights. She also inadvertent-
ton seemed most excited today by
and gamely tasted the offered
"A visit like this can put a spot-
went largely unanswered.
she had passed through a looking
ly created chaos at a nongovernmen-
getting a taste of the nomadic life
mare's milk and horse cheese.
light on a country like Mongolia,
At Mongolian National University,
glass.
tal forum, where thousands of wom-
that still dominates Mongolia.
Mr. Zanabaatar, with his six young
which Americans pay little attention
Mrs. Clinton emphasized the impor-
In contrast with China, Mrs. Clin-
en trying to hear her speak clashed
After arriving at the half-built
children wide-eyed nearby in the
to," said Mr. Lord. "It's quite a re-
tance of working together by citing a
ton found a functioning democracy
with Chinese security forces.
Ouyant Ukhaa Airport and waving to
dark tentlike structure, said that the
markable story."
lesson that Genghis Khan's mother
here. The crowds that clog every
But in Mongolia, when Mrs. Clin-
a few dozen construction workers
rains had been good this year.
Mrs. Clinton seemed eager to
tried to teach her children.
Chinese city were nowhere to be
ton gave another speech about the
who seemed to be the only people
Taken outside to watch one of the
learn about Mongolia's moves away
"To make her point, she showed
found, and few Mongolians seemed to
need for democracy and freedom,
around, Mrs. Clinton and her entou-
family's horses get milked, Mrs.
from one-party control in 1990, its
them how easily one arrow could be
be disrupted when Mrs. Clinton's 10-
Mongolian officials responded with
rage headed about 20 miles into the
Clinton spied some large animals
loss of aid from the Soviet Union, its
broken, but how hard it is to break
car motorcade stopped traffic to
applause, not condemnation.
Mongolian grasslands.
ambling along the crest of a hill.
runaway inflation and how the
five arrows when they are held-to-
speed through this shabby, almost
The stated purpose of her visit
Wearing black suede cowboy boots
"What's that big.. It's a yak!"
changes had affected the status of
gether," she said.
The Washington Times
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1995
CONNIE MORELLA
Cultivating common ground
hat happens when 50,000
W
many instances the perpetrators -
nations including Haiti, Pakistan,
women get together to
when they are husbands or
and even in the United States.
talk about their children,
boyfriends - are rarely punished.
Other issues also will be high on
their health, and their
Human Rights Watch offers up a
the conference's agenda. The edu-
jobs? Lively discussion, heated
disturbing and long list of examples.
cation of girls and the advancement
debate, and new ideas. And that is
For example, in Brazil, where 70
of health care for women will be
what those of us attending the U.N.
percent of the violence against
discussed and debated this week.
Fourth World Conference on
women is domestic violence, courts
Two-thirds of the world's illiterate
women this week are counting on.
routinely refuse to convict men who
adults are women and two-thirds of
Conference Secretary Gertrude
kill their unfaithful wives or lovers.
the 130 million children who go
Mongello of Tanzania has said, "The
The men are exonerated because
without primary school education
problems [of women] are not dif-
they acted to protect their "honor"
are girls.
ferent from country to country.
and did so in the heat of passion.
Women's health worldwide is
They only differ in intensity." And
In the United States, where every
often precarious, especially in
she is exactly right. Women the
eight seconds a woman is physical-
developing countries. Of particular
world over are concerned about the
ly abused, we have evidence that the
concern is the HIV-AIDS epidem-
prevalence of violence in their lives,
"heat of passion/honor" defense is
ic among women. Today, women
the quality of their children's
alive and well right here. Sentencing
represent 40 percent of HIV-infect-
schooling, the challenges of preg-
a man who killed his wife after he
ed adults; by 2000, it is predicted
nancy and childbirth, and econom-
found her in bed with her lover, a
that 15 million women will become
ic security for themselves and their
Maryland judge said last year. "I
infected. During the 1990s, 2.9 mil-
families.
seriously wonder how many mar-
lion women around the globe will
This conference presents an
ried men would have the strength
die from AIDS.
important opportunity to strength-
to walk away without inflicting some
All of us in the U.S. delegation -
en the world's families, to increase
corporal punishment."
from the first lady to members of
the numbers of women in decision-
In Russia, where one in five mur-
Congress to Sister Ann Kelly, presi-
making positions in government
and business, and to ensure access
for girls and women to education
and health care.
U.N.
This conference is not about
adding genders, redefining families,
WORLD CONFERENCE
denigrating motherhood, or tearing
down capitalism. And it is certainly
ON WOMEN
not about ignoring China's dismal
record on human rights - if any-
CHINA
thing, the conference has focused
the world's attention on the terror
the Chinese people, particularly
women, suffer day in and day out.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's
Nobel laureate, said it well in a
videotaped message to the confer-
ence: "For millennia, women have
dedicated themselves almost exclu-
sively to the task of nurturing, pro-
tecting, and caring for the young
and the old, striving for conditions
of peace that favor life as a whole.
der victims is killed by a spouse and
dent of the College of New Rochelle
It is time to apply in the arena of the
most of those killed are women, bat-
— are here in Beijing because we
world [this] wisdom and experi-
tered women who call the police for
want a world for for our children
ence."
help are ignored because domestic
that is free of hate and terror, pover-
Before that can happen effec-
violence is a private matter.
ty and disease, a world where they
tively, however, there are many
Rape is prohibited under every
will be free to develop their gifts and
challenges to overcome, Take, for
national law and under all interna-
talents unhindered by bias and dis-
example, crimes of violence against
tional laws règarding international
crimination. Some may deride these
women. Domestic violence is the
and internal conflicts. Yet, the rape
goals as unattainable and perhaps
leading cause of death worldwide
of women and girls as a consequence
naive, but engage the effort we must.
for women between the ages of 14
of warfare and as a tool of political
Whether the issue is advancing
and 44. But, according to a report
repression is an accepted fact of life
human rights, promoting sustain-
just issued by Human Rights
in many parts of the world. Combat-
able development, or mediating
Watch, "it is typically ignored by
ants in such places as the former
issues of war and peace, women
the state or only erratically pun-
Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Peru, and
will take an active role in their
ished."
Kashmir have routinely used rape to
countries and around the world.
The study, The Human Rights
terrorize civilian populations, to
The U.N. Fourth World Confer-
Watch Global Report on Women's
expedite "ethnic cleansing," or to
ence on Women is charting their
Human Rights, states that the types
reward mercenary soldiers.
course.
of violence women face - murder,
Human Rights Watch has docu-
rape, assault and battery - are "con-
mented rape by security forces and
demned by the criminal laws of vir-
prison guards to get information or
Connie Morella is a Republican
tually all countries." Yet, these laws
confessions or simply to abuse
member of the U.S. House of Rep-
are not always enforced and in too
incarcerated women in many
resentatives from Maryland.
Contrary to Senate, House Approves Adding to Stealth Bombers
technology. Protect our pilots."
Pacific Northwest and Texas, where
Opponents of the B-2, led by fiscal
components for the plane are built or
conservatives like Representative
assembled, began arguing for more.
that begins on Oct. 1. The amend-
ate and House members that will
B-2 supporters said the radar-evad-
John R. Kasich, Republican of Ohio,
Gen. John M. Shalikashvili, Chair-
By ERIC SCHMITT
ment would have eliminated $493
hammer out a compromise later this
ing bombers would risk fewer pilots'
and liberal Democrats like Repre-
man of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and
WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 - The
million for components for two more
month.
lives than would the lumbering, 40-
sentative Ronald V. Dellums of Cali-
Adm. William A. Owens, the Vice
House today narrowly approved fi-
B-2's, the 21st and 22d in the fleet.
Until the Republicans assumed
year-old B-52's. One lawmaker even
fornia, noted that it would cost more
Chairman, summed up the mili-
nancing to begin expanding the na-
The narrow margin of the vote
control of Congress this year and
invoked the name of Capt. Scott
than $30 billion to add 20 of the
tary's position in a letter to Mr.
tion's fleet of B-2 Stealth bombers, a
reflected budget constraints that
reopened the debate over the size of
O'Grady, the Air Force pilot who,
planes and said such an expense
Kasich before the House vote in
step the Pentagon says it neither
had caused support for buying more
the B-2 fleet, the Defense Depart-
flying an F-16 fighter-bomber, was
would defy military logic and com-
June.
of the bat-winged, radar-evading
ment and Congress had implicitly
shot down over Bosnia by a surface-
mon sense.
needs nor can afford.
"The service chiefs and combat-
planes to slip since the House, in a
agreed to halt production of the
to-air missile in June.
"At a time when this Congress is
The House vote set the stage for a
219-to-203 preliminary vote in June,
bomber at 20 planes, at a total cost of
"If we don't go with the B-2 bomb-
cutting Medicare, Medicaid and edu-
ant commanders have been consult-
battle with the Senate over whether
first gave approval to B-2 expansion.
$44.4 billion. Seven of those planes
er, we are going to see pilots go down
cation, it is unconscionable to spend
ed on this issue," the letter said,
to add, at a cost of billions, to a
The Senate, which until this year
are already in the fleet, and all of the
just like Mr. O'Grady went down,"
more than $30 billion on this," said
"and with us unanimously support
program that is now capped at 20
favored the B-2 more than did the
remaining 13 are to be delivered in
said Representative Duncan Hunter,
Representative Richard J. Durbin,
the Secretary of Defense's position
planes.
House, has rejected any additional
the next few years.
a California Republican who is
Democrat of Illinois.
that there are more pressing re-
The vote, 213 to 210, defeated an
financing for the plane. As a result,
Now backers of the B-2 hope for 20
chairman of the House National Se-
Even the military balked when
quirements than the marginal in-
amendment to the $244 billion Penta-
the fate of additional B-2's now rests
more.
curity Subcommittee on Military
lawmakers backing the B-2, many of
creases in capability offered by pro-
gon spending bill for the fiscal year
with a conference committee of Sen-
In debate on the House floor today,
Procurement. "Don't reject this
them from Southern California, the
curing additional B-2 bombers."
THE NEW YORK TIMES NATIONAL FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1995
White House Refuses to Release Files in Travel Office Incident
Five of the travel office employees
White House were tussling over,
were ultimately restored to Govern-
which include witness accounts of
ment jobs. One, Billy R. Dale, who
the events, collected by the White
executive privilege, but that the
tee, said the "exhaustive amount" of
the first months of the Clinton Ad-
had been head of the office, has been
House when it was conducting its
By ALISON MITCHELL
documents being withheld would
ministration when White House
charged with embezzlement. His
review.
White House would be willing to con-
sider "particularized requests"
"seriously impair" the committee's
aides expressed alarm to superiors
trial is scheduled for October.
"They really didn't see them nor
WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 - In re-
from the committee to review spe-
over possible mishandling of travel
In its own internal review of the
ability to examine the controversy.
has anybody else," the Congressman
sponse to a new request from a Con-
Mr. Clinger said he hoped the Presi-
office money. Seven employees of
incident, the White House rebuked
cific documents.
said.
gressional investigative committee,
the White House has refused to turn
"It may be that some of the docu-
dent would reconsider.
the office were abruptly dismissed in
four officials and faulted the chief of
ments are ultimately turned over,"
The White House's handling of the
the spring of 1993 and the White
staff at the time, Thomas F. McLar-
over more than 900 pages of internal
said Mark Fabiani, special associate
travel office is just one of the contro-
House asked the Federal Bureau of
ty 3d, for the way the matter was
documents and memorandums con-
counsel to the President. "We've
versies that have come under re-
Investigation for a criminal inquiry.
handled. A report in 1994 by the
cerning its dismissal of seven em-
identified documents on a log and
newed scrutiny by Republicans
But within days it was disclosed
General Accounting Office, the in-
ployees in its travel office early in
invited the committee to engage in a
since they took control of Congress
that the complaints leading to the
vestigative arm of Congress, went
the Clinton Administration.
process to determine which are nec-
in January.
dismissals were lodged by Catherine
beyond the White House review of
In a letter this week to the House
essary."
The travel office, which handles
A. Cornelius, a distant cousin of Mr.
the dismissals, depicting Hillary
Committee on Government Reform
But in a letter of protest to the
travel arrangements for some Ad-
Clinton who wanted to run the travel
Rodham Clinton as playing a more
and Oversight, the White House
White House, Representative Wil-
ministration officials and the White
operation, and by Clinton friends
active role. But Mr. Clinger said the
liam F. Clinger Jr., the Pennsylvania
House press corps accompanying
who had been seeking the travel
accounting office had not had access
counsel's office said that the docu-
ments were "subject to" claims of
Republican who heads the commit-
the President, became an issue in
business for themselves.
to the documents that he and the
THE WASHINGTON POST
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1995
IN THE LOOP
Hunter Meets Huntee
By Al Kamen
Clinton returned from V-J Day ceremonies. The bags
Washington Post Staff Writer
were lined up on the tarmac waiting for the usual
German shepherds to come by and check for bombs
here was Senate Foreign Relations
T
and drugs.
Committee Chairman Jesse Helms (R-N.C.)
But out trotted two little beagles (part of the
at the White House for a secret meeting last
government's downsizing?) wearing little green and
month to tell President Clinton why the Agency for
white vests that said: "Beagle Brigade." The dogs are
International Development, the U.S. Information
employed by the Department of Agriculture to sniff
Agency and the Arms Control and Disarmament
for contraband produce.
Agency should be abolished.
The dogs went up and down the line calmly
And there was Helms's top aide on this effort,
sniffing away when one of them got very agitated, its
Steven K. Berry, briefing Clinton and other top
little tail wagging furiously.
officials on the details of the proposal, which has been
The inspector looked into the suspect bag. Sure
stalled by administration opposition and a
enough, there was an illegal banana, property of
Democratic filibuster.
CNN White House producer Kevin Bohn. "No one
Wait a minute
Steven K. Berry? The former
warned us" it was against the law to take produce to
acting assistant secretary of state for legislative
the mainland, Bohn said yesterday.
affairs? The one who lost his job after the
The inspector seized the banana as evidence.
department's inspector general accused him of a
Bohn was not detained.
"serious lapse in judgment" and "total inappropriate
The Penultimate Finale
conduct" during the Clinton passport scandal?
(Remember: When during the 1992 campaign, Bush
When last we checked, White House deputy chief
State Department officials went in the dead of night
of staff Erskine B. Bowles was outta there,
to Suitland, Md., to look in old passport files for dirt
absolutely, no question, going home to North
on Clinton and his mother?) The Steven K. Berry
Carolina to spend more time with his family. People
who underwent an independent counsel's
were saying he was gone this month or next at the
investigation and was cleared of any wrongdoing?
latest.
Yep. The very same Steven K. Berry.
Next thing you know, he's playing golf with Clinton
(Clinton apparently had no idea who Berry was.
out in Wyoming. Now we hear he's been convinced
And Berry probably felt it inappropriate to open up
by Clinton to stay until the budget battle is over,
with: "Gee, Mr. President, your passport photo really
which could be the end of this year.
doesn't do you justice.
He may stay even longer.
Anyway, sources say Clinton listened carefully,
Starr Deputy Now Lawyer for Lawyers of Rose Law
digested and repeated Berry's case and said he'd get
back to the Helms's folks. During the meeting it fell
Washington attorney Mark H. Tuohey III, who has
to Vice President Gore, the chief opponent of the
been independent counsel Kenneth W. Starr's deputy
plan at the White House, to take the lead in
in Washington, is settling in this week as a new
opposition and argue against the Helms proposal.
partner in the Washington office of the Texas-based
Secretary of State Warren Christopher was said by
mega-law firm Vinson & Elkins. An eyebrow or two
one source to have been "conspicuously silent."
might arch over this move because Vinson & Elkins
White House chief of staff Leon E. Panetta and
represents the Rose Law Firm, which is being
deputy national security adviser Samuel R. "Sandy"
investigated by federal regulators over its role as
Berger also attended the hour-long session.
counsel for Madison Guaranty Savings & Loan in
Arkansas.
How secret was the meeting? So secret that the
Tuohey said he had been in negotiations with
heads of the affected agencies apparently did not
Vinson & Elkins for several months but only after
know about it for several days. They found out from
getting an ethics opinion from Starr's ethics officer,
Hill Democrats, those loyal folks who united behind
former Watergate counsel Samuel Dash, and
the administration to stall the bill. Sources say some
screening himself off from participation in any
of the Democrats found out from Republican Senate
matters directly or indirectly affecting the Rose firm.
staffers.
Meanwhile, Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Tex.), who runs
Gergen Circles Back to Way Station
the Appropriations subcommittee for the State
The door doesn't revolve much faster than this.
Department's budget, ratcheted up the pressure.
Gramm weighed in this week with a letter to Helms
David R. Gergen, counsel to the presidents-as in
saying he would not fund the department without
Nixon, Ford, Reagan and Clinton-is going back to
U.S. News & World Report as editor at large.
Helms's approval.
Gergen was there before going to the Clinton
Caught by a Beagle, but He Didn't Have to Peel
administration for 18 months. He left last year to
become a visiting professor at Duke.
It seemed like just another baggage inspection drill
Gergen also plans to return to his talking head role
last Sunday for veteran reporters waiting to board
on Public Broadcasting Service's MacNeil/Lehrer
the White House press plane leaving Hawaii as
NewsHour.
THE WASHINGTON POST
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1995
First Lady Sips Mare's Milk in Mongolia
try, wedged between Russia and
torcade lumbered back across the
By Steven Mufson
Washington Post Foreign Service
China, Mongolia became a democra-
valley for the 45-minute drive to
cy in 1989 and has begun opening
Ulan Bator, the capital.
TOV, Mongolia, Sept. 7-Sitting
and reforming its floundering econo-
There she lunched with the presi-
today at the hearth of a Mongolian
my. It has no political prisoners and
dent and watched a musical perfor-
hut and sipping mare's milk below a
an independent judiciary, and more
mance that included a man who sang
two-stringed horse fiddle, Hillary
than 90 percent of its people took
a single note with different, slightly
Rodham Clinton turned to the Zana-
part in its first open elections in June
buzzing, string-like variations, some
baatar family, her nomadic hosts,
1992 and 1993.
tunes on the horse fiddle and a 13-
and asked them if they had had a
After years of prohibiting the
year-old contortionist who was able
good summer.
open practice of religion, the gov-
to bend over backward and put her
They replied, as the American
ernment has allowed people to open-
head between her legs from behind
first lady nodded her head, that it de-
ly practice the Tibetan Buddhist La-
and balance herself on her chin.
pended on whether you were talking
maism once popular here. The Dalai
Clinton also had tea with some of
about the cattle and the sheep,
Lama, an exile from Chinese-ruled
Mongolia's most prominent women,
which had done quite well, or the
Tibet, recently visited.
including a doctor, a lawyer, teach-
horses, which could use a bit more
.Gone are the days after Genghis
ers and wives of government minis-
fattening up. The conversation
Khan united the nomads here into a
ters.
turned to snuff boxes and the Zana-
single state and conquered nearly all
Afterward, she went on to the
baatars' impending move to warmer
of Asia and European Russia and sent
University of Mongolia for the most
pastures.
his armies as far away as Europe and
substantive part of this stop, which
Also jammed inside the circular
Southeast Asia. "Mongolia is situated
senior administration officials said
hut were the Zanabaatars' six chil-
between two giants. Therefore our
was intended to give a boost to a
dren-and more than a dozen Amer-
cooperation with the United States is
place trying to do the right things.
ican reporters and cameramen who
very important from the point of view
Other than James A. Baker III, who
descended like a Mongol horde to
of security as well as our progress to-
visited in 1991 when he was secre-
record the last leg of Clinton's six-
ward democracy," said L. Galbagrakh,
tary of state, Clinton is the highest-
day Asian journey.
an adviser to the president.
ranking American to visit Mongolia
For Clinton, this stop in one of
More than half the country lives in
Asia's emerging democracies has al-
since Vice President Henry Wallace
huts like the one the first lady visit-
so been a move to gentler pastures
in 1944. Upon arrival, she an-
ed: wooden-framed, domed, covered
nounced a new $4.5 million U.S. aid
after two tumultuous days in China
with layers of horsehair blankets
at the U.N. Fourth World Confer-
tied down on the outside by horse-
package for Mongolia.
ence on Women. There the first lady
hair ropes. Built to withstand bitter
"This country has transformed it-
irritated the Chinese government
Siberian winds of up to 50 mph, the
self from a one-party communist dic-
with thinly veiled criticism of its
huts, called gers, can be dismantled
tatorship into a pluralistic political
forced abortion policy and a blunt re-
easily and moved to another loca-
system," she said in a speech. "The
buke for its handling of the confer-
tion.
Mongolian people yearned so
ence.
The first lady's briefing book for
strongly for democracy that a move-
"Some people from some coun-
this leg of the trip had some useful
ment began with demonstrations in
tries have made unwarranted re-
advice such as: When you enter a
sub-zero temperatures and culminàt-,
marks or criticism of other coun-
ger, it is polite to walk clockwise
ed with the resignation of the Polit-
tries," said Chinese Foreign Ministry
around the fireplace and if you have
buro, the legalization of other parties
spokesman Chen Jian in reply to a
to leave to go to the bathroom dur-
and the writing of a new constitu-
question about the first lady's re-
ing a meal, just tell your host that
tion."
marks Tuesday in a speech to the
you're "going to take a look at the
Mongolia, she said, should be a
Beijing conference.
horses" and everyone will under-
model for all Asia. "There are some
"We would like to caution these
stand.
who claim that freedom and democ-
people to pay more attention to the
After her mare's milk aperitif,
racy are Western concepts and that
problems in their own countries,"
Clinton strolled outside the nomadic
Asians prefer authoritarian rule,"
Chen said this afternoon as Clinton
bungalow to really look over the
she said in a speech here. "I say: Let
was dining with Mongolian President
horses as well as the yaks grazing in
them come to Mongolia."
Punsalmaagiyn Ochirbat and his
this stunning valley. A local man
Was that one last parting shot for
wife.
pushed a reluctant mare forward for
the Chinese Communist regime in
But Clinton had already moved on
milking. The Zanabaatar children
Beijing? No, said a senior administra-
to less sensitive matters.
raced on horseback, and the first la-
tion official here. Mongolia is a "re-
Mongolia is a nation of just 2 mil-
dy rewarded them with M&Ms. She
markable story" in its own right, and
lion people, whose president once
also presented the family with a new
the first lady only wanted to lend
said that his favorite pastime is
saddle and a red, white and blue sad-
U.S. support to Mongolian democra-
sleeping. A former communist coun-
dle blanket. And then the 30-car mo-
cy.
THE NEW YORK TIMES, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1995
Beijing Meeting Signals Women's Solidarity
To the Editor:
ty much a Western phenomenon and
One question they might discuss is
Contrary to the headline over Ca-
not even prevalent there. The theme
why are men, whether in repressive
mille Paglia's Sept. 1 Op-Ed article,
running throughout the Platform for
China, in our country or the other
the United Nations Fourth World
Action is not female dominance, but
United Nations member countries,
Conference on Women in Beijing is
partnership and equal sharing of
so angry and fearful at the concept
not "A White Liberal Women's Con-
rights and responsibilities between
of sharing power equally with
ference."
the two sexes. A parallel theme is
women?
MIM KELBER
In a phone call I had with Bella
that as half the world's population,
New York, Sept. 5, 1995
Abzug, who is in Beijing representing
women must have an equal say in
The writer is co-founder of the Wom-
the Women's Environment and De-
policy making.
en's Environment and Development
velopment Organization, she report-
Ms. Paglia does hit a sympathetic
Organization.
ed that from 60 percent to 70 percent
chord with me when she deplores the
of the women participating in the
lack of references to male suffering
parallel Non-Governmental Organi-
and deprivations. I have long advo-
Will Repression Win?
zations Forum are from the develop-
cated that the equation of masculin-
To the Editor:
ing world, including the several thou-
ity and manhood with war-making,
"Meeting of Women Says Surveil-
sand N.G.O.'s accredited as observ-
aggressiveness, violence, wife-
lance by China Must End" (front
ers at the official United Nations
beating, rape, sexual abuse and all
page, Sept. 3), although excellent,
conference.
the other horrors that dominate the
ignores the substance of the Non-
In comparison with other United
world's cultures should be chal-
Governmental Organizations Forum
Nations events, the official govern-
lenged by the men (probably a ma-
and of the official United Nations
ment delegations as a whole have a
jority) who do not commit these acts.
Fourth World Conference on Women
majority of women, also from the
It's time for the many men around
third world.
the world, both public figures and
in Beijing.
Ms. Paglia, who has carved a niche
private citizens, who are peace-lov-
This includes the struggle at the
for herself as a pseudo-feminist crit-
ing, caring, responsible and socially
forum to adopt a credible Platform
ic, outdoes herself in again bashing
concerned to organize their own con-
for Action for the improvement of
women's lives that the world's coun-
Western feminists and misrepre-
senting their views. It is presumptu-
tries will follow; Muslim women's
ous and insulting to imply that third
uniting at the conference to oppose
world women have to be told by
the oppression of women in Islamic
outsiders what their problems and
countries; the lack of access to
needs are.
capital by the world's women; the
Her description of the official Plat-
struggle to force the United Nations
form for Action as "a maelstrom" of
to treat rape as a war crime and
clashing ideologies overlooks that
a crime against humanity; the rape
the document, like all United Nations
of East Timorean women by Indo-
documents, reflects the consensus
nesian military forces, and the
views of its 185 member nations as
problem of domestic violence in
well as women N.G.O.'s from every
China.
region. The broad range of recom-
The repressive Chinese authorities
mendations indicates the diversity of
will have accomplished more than
life experiences and needs that are
they dreamed possible if the only
addressed and the multicultural sen-
stories to emerge from Huairou and
sitivity of the platform.
Beijing in the next two weeks are
It is also a tribute to the mutual
about the efforts of the Chinese
support and growing solidarity
David Suter
to suppress the free flow of in-
among women's movements around
formation. The world awaits news
the world.
ferences to reject the popular stereo-
of the information the Chinese
It is true that the document does
types of how "real men" are sup-
seek to repress, not just the fact
not single out for praise men who
posed to behave and to provide, in
that the Chinese have sought to
wash dishes, change diapers and
cooperation with women, new defini-
repress it.
ANN MARIE NOEL
help around the house, which is pret-
tions and positive models of manhood.
San Francisco, Sept. 3, 1995
Navy's Arsenal Ship
Don't Blame Nafta for U.S. Job Losses
Is a Sop to Congress
To the Editor:
has not produced an end to illegal
To the Editor:
Pat Buchanan (Op-Ed, Aug. 25)
immigration. I know of no friend of
offers no new reasons to conclude
Re "Aircraft Carrier May Give
Nafta who thought that illegal immi-
that the North American Free Trade
Way to Missile Ship" (front page,
gration would disappear within 18
Sept. 3):
Agreement was a mistake.
months of its implementation.
On the eve of Congress's return
During 1994 United States exports
Many problems Mexico confronts
from recess, Adm. Jeremy M.
to Mexico surged, averaging $1 bil-
are serious, and no course of action
lion per week, up 21.7 percent over
Boorda, the Chief of Naval Opera-
will fix them immediately. But wheth-
the previous year. This was true
er Mexico recovers or enters into a
tions, described the Navy's plan for
across every sector, leading to thou-
an "arsenal ship" to replace battle-
graver crisis, it will remain on our
sands of new jobs. This is what pro-
southern border and we will feel the
ships and eventually aircraft carri-
ponents of Nafta predicted, and this
effects of its decisions. This is true in
ers. This appears to be a sop to Con-
is just what happened.
spite of any fence Mr. Buchanan
gress, which has criticized the Navy
The Mexican economy collapsed
for its neglect of naval surface fire
imagines will insulate the U.S.
at the end of 1994, and with it United
During the Reagan Administra-
support and for attempting to elimi-
States exports to Mexico. This was
tion, Latin America underwent a
nate its battleships, which proved in-
not a result. of Nafta, but of mistakes
transformation toward democratic
dispensable in the Persian Gulf war,
relating to management of the peso.
rule and market economics. This
as they will in future conflicts.
And the devaluation of the peso ac-
transformation represents a real ad-
On June 29, 17 of the 20 Senate
counts for the disappearance of the
vantage for American security and
Armed Services Committee members
United States trade surplus with
for the American economy. There
voted to retain at least two battleships
Mexico. To argue, as Mr. Buchanan
will be setbacks along the way, but
because they are the Navy's "only
does, that 340,000 United States jobs
they are not reason to veer off a
remaining potential source of around-
have been lost because of Nafta is
course that will strengthen the hemi-
the-clock, accurate high-volume,
without foundation. Blame for mis-
sphere.
RICHARD G. LUGAR
heavy fire support." Their perform-
takes in the way the peso was deval-
Washington, Sept. 5, 1995
ance received the highest praise in
ued cannot be laid to a fundamental-
The writer, U.S. Senator from Indi-
the Pentagon's April 1992 report to
ly sound trade agreement.
ana, is a candidate for the Republi-
Congress on the gulf war.
Mr. Buchanan argues that Nafta
can Presidential nomination.
1/2
USA TODAY THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1995
First lady's
words speak
for thousands
By Charles Hutzler
The Associated Press
HUAIROU, China - The
rain fell steadily, and the tent
city housing a global women's
gathering was a sea of mud.
But that wasn't going to stop the
women who came to hear first
lady Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Thousands of activists from
around the world, clad in pon-
chos or clutching umbrellas,
waited outside a crumbling cln-
By Greg Baker. AP
ema-turned-conference hall
NEVER MIND THE RAIN: Supporters wait for Hillary Rodham Clinton to arrive at the women's
Wednesday, hoping to hear the
forum Wednesday at Huairou, China. Hundreds were turned away from the crowded hall.
first lady speak, or just catch a
glimpse of her.
It in a remote locale 30 miles
nese security broadcast an-
fortunate under the circum-
"Give 'em hell, Hillary!" a
away from the U.N. confer-
nouncements blaming the
stances: "People pushing for-
group of about 20 shouted.
ence site in Beijing, has been
United States for the crowd-
ward, never turning back!"
Clinton had done just that
By Doug Mills. AP
plagued by logistical problems.
control problems by moving
They were still singing when
the previous day, using her
EMOTION: Crowds broke into
Wednesday was no exception.
the speech indoors.
Hillary Clinton finally stepped
speech to the U.N. women's
song in honor of the first lady.
Clinton's scheduled speech
The crowd waiting to get in-
to the stage after having been
conference in Beijing to issue a
began more than an hour and a
side passed through metal de-
brought in by a back entrance.
ringing call for respecting hu-
that the speech was specifical-
half late. Hundreds were
tectors, creating a huge back-
A roar went up.
man rights and to indirectly re-
ly targeted at Beljing.
turned away despite walting
up. The tight security Initially
Before she was introduced,
buke the Chinese for heavy-
"What she said was what we
for hours in the rain. Even Bet-
prevented Assistant Secretary
the singing started up again.
handed treatment of activists
have both said many, many
ty Friedan, godmother of the
of State Winston Lord and
She clapped her hands in time,
at the private forum here.
times on the issues that effect
U.S. women's movement,
Health and Hundan Services
then plunged into a spirited
White House officials said
China, and much of her speech
couldn't get in.
Secretary Donna Shalala from
speech praising the private ac-
Wednesday that President
pertained to conditions in other
Even so, the conference hall
entering though they entered,
tivists for doing the real work
Clinton had helped polish the
countries, not China," Clinton
designed to hold 1,500 people
soaked, through a side door.
to change women's lives.
first lady's speech and that the
said. "Some of it related to con-
was packed with a crowd of
Shalala later said China "will
Afterward, before leaving
text had been reviewed by per-
ditions In our country as well."
more than 3,000, nearly all
never get another International
China to fly to Mongolia for a
tinent foreign policy agencies,
The gathering of non-gov-
women, who sat In the aisles,
event again."
visit, she walked off the stage
giving even further weight to
er nmental organizations,
packed a small balcony and
Inside, the expectant crowd
and shook hands with women
the first lady's remarks.
which activists say the Chinese
jammed into doorways.
broke into gospel songs, includ-
in the front row. The crowd
But the president denied
have tried to muzzle by staging
Outside the bullding, Chl-
ing one tune with a refrain un-
broke into song again.
France's nuclear test unleashes worldwide protest
By William J. Kole
He was scorned at home, too,
That protest drew a sharp reac-
Prime Minister Alain Juppe
The Associated Press
where more than 60% of the pub-
tion from Defense Minister
said Chirac faces "temporary un-
lic opposes the tests. The front
Charles Millon, who noted that 86
popularity to preserve, in the me-
PARIS - Half a world from
page of the leftist newspaper Lib
nuclear tests were conducted un-
dium and long term, the essential
the island lagoon that heaved and
eration ran a large photograph of
der the 14-year presidency of
interests of the country."
frothed from the force of an un-
the conservative president al-
Chirac's Sociallst predecessor,
France has set off 205 nuclear
derground nuclear test, France's
tered to make haif of his face ap-
Francois Mitterrand.
blasts in the South Pacific and in
president is feeling the heat.
pear melted or mutated.
Despite the opposition, Chirac
Algeria since 1960, when then-
Protesters marched, burned
About 5,000 Greenpeace activ-
could still ride out the backlash.
President Charles de Gaulle
French flags and chained them-
ists rallied Wednesday at a sym-
The neo-Gaullist, who has won re-
brought the country into the
selves to French embassies
bolic site in Paris: the Place de la
spect for asserting France's role
Atomic Age. France stopped at-
around the world Wednesday as
Bastille, where the French Revo-
in Bosnia since being elected in
mospheric testing in 1974.
AP
anger flared over Tuesday's test
lution began. One demonstrator
May, drew relatively mild reac-
In the wake of protests, France
CHIRAC: Says he'll
blast in the South Pacific, ordered
styled her hair in the shape of a
tion from Germany, Britain and
said it may not conduct all eight
sign test ban treaty
by President Jacques Chirac.
nuclear mushroom cloud.
the United States.
tests, as originally contemplated.
after current tests
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1995
al Rights for Women Everywhere
How Public School
F. Lawler's diatribe about the
ument recommends generous leave poli-
Rescued My Child
World Conference on Women ("The
cies that allow parents to combine work
Benevolent Despots," editorial
and family responsibilities.
In general I agree with your Aug. 23
Aug. 22) is inaccurate on two levels.
Is this a radical agenda? Only to those
editorial, "Dates to Remember," criticiz-
st, Mr. Lawler hauls out the over-
who believe that a woman's place is, in-
ing some of the excesses of public school
rked, and baseless, charge that the con-
nately and unalterably, in the home. The
teachers unions. However you write your
rence seeks to recognize five "genders":
draft document for the women's confer-
editorials as if every child in school were
men, women, lesbians, homosexuals and
ence recognizes the rich context of
normal. Many children need "special ser-
bisexuals. In an attempt to put this rumor
women's lives, and offers practical help,
vices," and the public school system de-
to rest, a U.N. committee issued a state-
not pious rhetoric. It also offers a truth
livers these services very well. Much to
ment in May declaring that the word "gen-
that is still unsettling to some: that women
my surprise, these services, at least in
der" as used in the conference document is
are human beings, with all the rights and
Elizabeth, N.J., are unavailable in pri-
vate schools.
consistent with common usage, with no
responsibilities that entails. Would Mr.
new meanings or connotations implied.
Lawler want anything less for his mother,
My child cannot control his aggression.
But despite the U.N.'s efforts, right-wing
sister, wife or daughter?
He is six and going into first grade. He was
critics of the women's conference have
SUSAN E. SECHLER
asked to leave camp this summer. We then
managed to keep this spurious allegation
Executive Director
went looking for a school to help him and
alive and well.
Pew Global Stewardship Initiative
educate him simultæneously. Last year he
Mr. Lawler's second error is more sub-
Washington
was in a private (Jewish) day school. He
tle, and more dangerous. He lambastes
was evaluated in the spring. The conclu-
proponents of "the gender perspective" for
As a woman who proudly works for Dr.
sion was that he had a problem. The school
their belief that "women's and men's roles
James Dobson's Focus on the Family, I
also concluded that it could not institute
are socially constructed and subject to
would like to respond to Al Hunt's mis-
any programs to help him. This summer
change." Does he really think those roles
characterization of those of us who oppose
we investigated as many private (Jewish)
are not socially constructed? No one dis-
the Beijing feminist conference agenda as
day schools as possible and called the Eliz-
putes that there are innate biological dif-
"religious-right zealots" whose charges
abeth Board of Education,
ferences between males and females, but
amount to "sophistry" ("The Assault on
Much to my surprise, he is currently
every culture has its own definition of
the Women's Conference is Specious,"
scheduled to attend public school this fall.
what it means to be a man or woman. Re-
Aug. 24).
The reason is that the school will offer a)
member, medieval theologians believed
Mr. Hunt should put aside the name-
standard first grade curriculum compara-
that women, like animals, lacked souls.
calling, look beyond the semantics of
ble to that offered in any private school; b)
Until 1920, American women were thought
"women's rights," and read the "Platform
an additional person in the classroom who
to be mentally unfit for the rigórs of vot-
for Action" document that the conference
will monitor his behavior and institute ap-
ing. And in some parts of the world today,
delegates will consider before he attacks
propriate behavioral modification when
being a woman means that one is not con-
those of us who have. He will discover that
necessary, and c) the services of a psy-
sidered capable of driving, owning prop-
there is plenty in the document that most
chologist twice a week.
erty, or traveling without one's husband.
women-who don't identify with gender-
I am a strong supporter of vouchers and
The striking diversity of gender roles is
feminists-reject.
other methods for choosing a child's edu-
proof of their mutability.
Document provisions such as promot-
cation. However, you have not addressed
The draft document for the women's
ing abortion as "health," redefining equal-
this program of "special services." Many
conference uses the word "gender" to refer
ity and democracy into government-im-
"normal" children are taking advantage of
to all of the meanings that are attached to
posed quotas for achieving 50/50 male/fe-
the services for "hyperactivity," "aggres-
biological sex. This is because the prob-
male participation in every public and pri-
sive behavior" and similar problems, of-
lems faced by girls and women are largely
vate sphere, "gender sensitivity" training
fered by trained professional educators
rooted in culture, not biology. For exam-
from the classroom to the workplace, con-
who want to make a positive difference in
ple, in many countries, girls are more
doms for children and lesbian "rights" will
the lives of children.
likely to be victims of infanticide, are given
do nothing to help women obtain clean wa-
ALBERT MARTIN
less food and medical care than boys, and
ter or better living conditions.
Elizabeth, N.J.
are more likely to be taken out of school
It is questionable whether this docu-
and pressed into labor at an early age. And
ment can speak to women's needs when
A Fearsome Judge
women, who perform two-thirds of the
there is nothing in it that affirms the
world's work, are paid just 10% of the
choices women make, such as marriage
Broke Open Watergate
world's income and comprise the majority
and motherhood. Viewing family relation-
Even Mr. Gigot (Potomac Watch, Aug.
of those living in poverty. These inequities
ships in terms of power, not love and re-
11) seems to have forgotten the critical dif-
are not God-given; they result from persis-
sponsibility, and ignoring the real cause of
ference between Watergate and Whitewa-
tent gender-based discrimination.
the feminization of poverty-fatherless
ter. It is not Bernie Nussbaum; it is not
The Fourth World Conference on
families-shows how out of touch this doc-
even Bob Woodward. The battering ram
Women will not impose a radical reorder-
ument is with most women.
that broke open the Watergate was Judge
ing of gender roles on unwilling nations, as
CAIA MOCKAITIS
Sirica. But for the 20-year sentences passed
Mr. Lawler suggests. Rather, the confer-
Public Policy Information Manager
out by Maximum John (for breaking and
ence seeks consensus among delegates
Focus On The Family
entering without theft!), Watergate might
from some 185 nations concerning ways to
Colorado Springs, Colo.
have terminated at the stonewall, just as
improve the lives of girls and women world-
Whitewater appears destined to do. The
wide by promoting equal access to educa-
only holdout was Gordon Liddy, who was
tion, health care and economic opportu-
Legalized Drugs
remanded to the most violent prison in the
nity. The conference document also ac-
D.C. area. John Dean did not need to be
knowledges that gender roles are already
Will Never Work
made of bone china to break at the prospect
changing. Notably, women everywhere are
of facing this jurist or his like.
combining motherhood with paid work to
Libertarian David Boaz correctly
help support their families. Most do not
states that the war against drugs will
In my view, it is to the credit of Repub-
licans that, unlike the Democrats vis a vis
have the option of assuming the traditional
never be "won" in the sense that drugs
will never be entirely eliminated from so-
Nixon, they show no passion to "get" the
homemaker role of conservative myth: It is
ciety (Letters, Aug. 29). Similarly, there
president-at whatever cost to the na-
the imperative of survival in today's econ-
will always be homicide. Shall we there-
tion-but appear to seek only a modest
omy, not radical feminist doctrine, that has
sent women into the workplace. The draft
fore legalize Murder Inc.?
gain of a few talking points for '96.
document for the women's conference
Mr. Boaz supports legalization, because
RALPH M. REYNOLDS
takes a clear-headed look at these realities,
it will make drugs cheaper. Should we then
Venice, Calif.
and suggests compassionate policy to help
combat teenage smoking by selling ciga-
women and families. For example, the doc-
rettes at five cents a pack?
Could it be that the anything-for-a-buck
Correction
libertarians want to increase drug usage
in society to the high levels of alcohol and
In yesterday's editorial page article
by Gary McDougal on welfare reform,
tobacco use so that prohibition is not an op-
the poverty level of the Grand Boulevard
tion? Then the death-dealing drug pushers
community was misstated. Of its 35,000
can achieve the respectability of legiti-
residents, 28,000 are poor.
mate businessmen, like the bootleggers
who acquired lucrative whiskey franchises
when prohibition ended.
JANET D. LAPEY M.D.
Executive Director
Concerned Citizens for Drug Prevention
Hanover, Mass.
The Washington Times
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1995
Only Mrs. Clinton can give a good speech in China
F
irst Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton's speech this
American citizen arrested this summer on his latest
week at the United Nations Fourth World Con-
return to his native country to document slave labor
gress on Women in Beijing didn't mince words.
practices and other abuses in China's labor camps -
Though she did not mention the host country by
where Mr. Wu had spent 19 years of his life for criti-
name, she did speak out eloquently against the vio-
cizing Mao. His release came in the nick of time for
lent abuses of women that are commonplace in
Mrs. Clinton's attendance to be politically possible.
China.
Mr. Wu himself, who had publicly voiced his oppo-
"It is," said Mrs. Clinton, "a violation of human
sition to Mrs. Clinton's trip to Beijing, was clearly
rights when babies are denied food, or drowned, or
moved and heartened by her speech. "Over the past
suffocated, or their spines broken, simply because
two months, I have had many reasons to be proud to
they
are
born
girls
It is a violation of human rights
be an American citizen. Today all Americans should
when women are denied the right to plan their own
be proud that their first lady spoke out directly and
families, and that includes being forced to have
forcefully in Beijing about human rights." Her tough
abortions or being sterilized against their will."
rhetoric caused Mr. Wu to muse, "her Chinese Com-
There was no doubt in anyone's mind that the first
munist hosts had to wonder if it was such a good idea
lady was talking about China. Incidents of female
to hold the conference in Beijing after all."
infanticide take place elsewhere on the planet, but
Indeed, the Chinese government imposed a total
only in China is it so marked an official problem. It
news blackout on Mrs. Clinton's speech - just as it
is this dictatorship's oppressive and aggressively
had controlled the Chinese people's access to infor-
enforced one-family/one-child population control
mation about the meeting of Non-Governmental
plan that has created the problem. The sad truth is
Organizations running in Huairou concurrently with
that faced with the prospect of having only one child,
the U.N. conference. Beijing also has employed some
many Chinese are determined enough (not to men-
serious control over the delegates themselves, some-
tion ruthless and evil enough) to commit such despi-
thing about which they have been complaining vocal-
cable acts against their daughters as Mrs. Clinton
ly since they arrived. Even the U.S. assistant secre-
describes. Though Mrs. Clinton did not mention it-
tary of state for the Far East and the secretary of
perhaps wishing to avoid giving ammunition to pro-
Health and Human Services were not immune. Win-
life activists at the conference - abortion is also used
ston Lord and Donna Shalala, trying to attend
in many instances in China to eliminate unwanted
another speech Mrs. Clinton was giving in Huairou,
baby girls before birth. And, of course, it was very
encountered "grim-faced security forces, posted at
clear indeed that the first lady had China on her mind
entrances with their arms locked," the Associated
when she talked about forced abortion and steril-
Press reported. Mr. Lord and Miss Shalala finally
ization - both used widely by Beijing against women
made it in to hear the speech, after half an hour in
who dare to violate the one-child edict.
the pouring rain. Mrs. Clinton's press secretary, Lisa
Nor did Mrs. Clinton limit herself to decrying
Caputo, did not.
abuses against women. "Let me be clear," she went
All of which serves as a very sharp reminder of
on to say. "Freedom means the right of people to
just what kind of country China is — and of how inap
assemble, organize and debate openly
It means
propriate it is, in the end, for so many free and rela-
respecting the views of those who may disagree with
tively affluent women to be carrying on ferocious
the views of their governments. It means not taking
debates about gender, sex and sexuality in a place
citizens away from their loved ones and jailing them,
where their sisters endure daily tortures. Clearly,
mistreating them or denying them their freedom and
China sought this conference as a boost to its inter-
dignity because of the peaceful expression of their
national prestige. Mrs. Clinton's speech served as a
ideas and opinions."
spotlight on why China so little deserves such a boost.
Once again, this is China. Indeed, Mrs. Clinton
It would have been even more effective if she had
almost lost her opportunity to participate in the con-
given it here, since it so persuasively lays out why
ference because Beijing had jailed Harry Wu, an
the United States shouldn't have gone.
The Washington Times
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1995
AID fund to help
women in politics
around the world
rights section, failed to convince
By George Archibald
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
delegates from Jordan, the Sudan
and the Vatican that "sexual orien-
BEIJING - The U.S. delegation
tation" is a human right that
yesterday announced the Clinton
should be guaranteed as part of a
administration will spearhead a
U.N. effort to break down cultural
new training and legal services
and religious barriers to homosex-
program to advance women's po-
uality and other sexual practices.
litical "empowerment" around the
Mrs. Ferraro told delegates of
world.
nongovernmental organizations
The proposal would use money
(NGOs) that "there's not a real fa-
from the U.S. Agency for Interna-
vorable environment" for expand-
tional Development (AID) to en-
ing the U.N.'s Universal Declara-
courage more women in foreign
tion of Human Rights to prohibit
countries to join political parties
all forms of discrimination against
and support female candidates, of-
people on the grounds of sexual
ficials sáid.
orientation. She said the other
"We want to get more women
delegates did not view homosex-
elected," Sally Shelton-Colby, as-
uality as "a human right."
sistant AID administrator and
Mary Ann Glendon, the Vati-
member of the delegation. said at
can's representative at the confer-
a press briefing yesterday.
ence, said it was important to es-
Mrs. Shelton-Colby said AID
tablish a definition of sexual
would give the "highest priority"
orientation before agreeing on a
to funding projects in foreign
platform.
lands and to provide "legal rights"
Mrs. Glendon said she saw no
to women in their dealings with
need to include a special provision
governments and private institu-
guaranteeing human rights for
tions. The U.S.-funded legal ser-
homosexuals.
vices operation would include
Other initiatives in the U.S. plan
"programmatic interventions"
offered yesterday include:
with foreign government agen-
A $1.6 billion, six-year Justice
cies, legislatures and development
Department anti-crime program
organizations, she said.
focusing on violence against
The AID program is part of a
women. The plan would fund "spe-
six-point agenda unveiled yester-
cial police and prosecution units"
day by Ambassador Madeleine K.
at the state and local level, Mrs.
Albright to demonstrate U.S. com-
Albright said.
mitment to the Platform of Actior.
"A healthy, comprehensive as-
of the U.N. Fourth Conference on
sault" by the Department of
Women.
Health and Human Services to
Mrs. Albright said the program
promote healthy behavior of
would promote more political in-
women, including an anti-smoking
volvement by women in foreign
campaign, increased AIDS aware-
countries and "promote the en-
ness and efforts to cure breast can-
forcement of women's legal
cer.
rights."
A "grass-roots campaign" led
While Mrs. Albright and first.
by the Department of Labor for
lady Hillary Rodham Clinton
more equitable pay for women and
staged several public announce-
to "promote the twin responsibil-
ments of administration commit-
ities of family and work."
ments to the conference, other U.S.
A Treasury Department cam-
negotiators lost their first effort to
paign to promote financial credit
adopt a homosexual rights mea-
for women.
sure into the U.N. platform.
A new White House Council on
Geraldine Ferraro, U.S. negoti-
Women to coordinate federal ac-
ator for the platform's human
tions and work with NGOs.
The Washington Times
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1995
Travels
Many of these women earned money
for their trip to China by selling
crafts and posters. They have some
left to sell in booths in the tents.
with
These are earnest women, touch-
ing in their determination, who rep-
resent grass roots organizations
from villages, towns and cities in
Shalala
scattered parts of the world, trying
against many obstacles to elevate
themselves (and their families).
Other women here, typically West-
ern and white, hold workshops to
HUAIROU, CHINA
celebrate the lesbian lifestyle. Their
Nights of rain, days of mud. Securi-
cottage industry is bashing men,
ty checks, long boring bus and taxi
whether husbands or heads of state.
rides to reach the forum on women
Their rhetoric is lost on the ears of
in Huairou. Donna Shalala, the sec-
the women of the global underclass.
retary of Health and Human Ser-
The most inspiring women are in
vices, invites me and Josette Shin-
wheelchairs, who tell Madam Sec-
er, my managing editor at The
retary they want her to make sure
Washington Times, to join her on a
they're perceived as "healthy"
trip out to the tents.
women so their lives and accom-
"Schlep with Shalala," she says.
plishments are honored in the final
Her staff is less
version of the "U.N. Platform for
enthusiastic, but
Action." Disabled women worry that
Here at a woman's
they are twice threatened when
conference on
women choose to abort female fetus-
women's rights,
es, fearing the slide down a slippery
the boss gets her
slope; devaluing life, one of them
way.
says, "makes babies 'like us' with
Ms. Shalala
birth defects especially vulnerable."
wears practical,
At their best, these conferences
sensible (you
are about women getting together to
might say) run-
enjoy friendships, exchange infor-
ning shoes and a
mation and set up networks to make
Suzanne
stylish silky pants
better lives for themselves (and
suit that rise
their families). They also focus the
Fields
three inches
world's attention on the oppression
above the ankle.
of women in certain countries, the
No flies or mud on the secretarial
government forcing abortions and
ankles. She wants to see first hand
sterilization, the culture forcing
thenon-governmental organizations
genital mutilation.
(NGOs) without the hindrance of
But many of these women, espe-
official appointments. The
cially white Western women in a
omnipresent guards stop her to
minority, have a hidden agenda of
question the identity cards she
eliminating the influence of tradi-
wears around her neck, and a trans-
tional families, religion and moral-
lator in our entourage yells (in Chi-
ity. One of their catch all terrors,
nese) "Minister, minister." Per-
as presented in the program book, is
suaded that she's important, albeit
"the rise of conservatism in its var-
female, the soldiers guarding the
ious forms - religious, nationalist,
entrances to the tents let us through.
racial/ethnic and homophobic."
Security is considerably lighter
They seek a global affirmative
than during the early days of the
action program, to create an "equal-
forum. We still go through "safety"
ity of results" rather than an "equal-
doors, whose buzzers and bells con-
ity of opportunity." This in turn
tinually sound alarms, but the
frightens the rest of us.
guards no longer pay much atten-
Critics of the first lady's appear-
tion. In fact, Ms. Shalala can't imag-
ance here - I'm one of them -
ine why so many delegates and
think her visit sets a bad precedent,
reporters had fussed about Chinese
casting her as a pawn of her hus-
official harassment. This is fun, like
band's foreign policy. But once her
walking through a crowded college
husband sent her on her way, she
campus with the dean.
delivered a powerful and passionate
We tell her that it was slightly
speech, linking women's rights with
more difficult when we didn't have
human rights, bravely saying these
a translator and a bona fide minis-
things in the belly of the beast. Or
ter from America with us. Luckily,
rather the belly of the boar.
we aren't from Tibet or Taiwan.
Before Secretary Shalala leaves
On a stroll, Secretary Shalala con-
the village of Huairou, she stops to
fronts a wide spectrum of attitudes.
visit with Maureen Reagan, who
She talks with African women in
headed the U.S. delegation to the
brightly colored robes with matching
first women's conference in Nairobi
headdresses who look like tribal
when her father was the president.
queens, Muslim women hidden dra-
The secretary and Miss Reagan
matically in chodors. Indian women
speculated, this being on the eve of
are draped in graceful silk saris,
the first lady's arrival, about what
with a flash of flesh at the belly line.
she should say.
Maureen Reagan said it should be
a speech for the folks back home.
Suzanne Fields, a columnist for
Donna Shalala said she should
The Washington Times, is nationally
speak to - and for women of the
syndicated. Her column appears here
world. To the first lady's credit, she
Monday and Thursday.
did both.
The Washington Times
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1995
Embassy
The party's still on
Row
For those invited to today's
celebration at the Brazilian Em-
bassy, the party is still on, even
though the ambassador is still re-
covering from brain surgery.
By James Morrison
Ambassador Paulo-Tarso
Flecha de Lima "personally in-
structed us" to hold the National
America first
Day celebration as planned, said
embassy spokesman Pedro Borio.
Now we know why Ambassa-
Mr. Flecha de Lima, who had a
dor Martin Indyk stayed away
tumor removed from his brain in
from Monday's celebration of
late August, has been recovering
3,000 years of Jewish history in
with a little help from friends.
Jerusalem.
First, Princess Diana, a friend
He had "prior commitments."
from his days as ambassador to
What could keep America's
Britain, dropped by to see him at
first Jewish ambassador to Israel
Georgetown University Hospital.
away from the commemoration
Then, President Clinton sent
of King David's conquest of Jeru-
him a "get well" letter.
salem?
"Hillary and I were very sorry
A Labor Day barbecue at the
to hear of your illness but re-
U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv.
lieved to learn of your rapid im-
He also attended the opening
provement. You and your family
of an Israeli women's shelter.
are very much in our thoughts
That's the official State Depart-
and prayers during this difficult
ment explanation.
time," the president wrote.
Spokesman Nick Burns said
"I was deeply touched by your
the embassy was represented by
message and thank you with all
a cultural attache.
my heart," the ambassador re-
'Yesterday.was an American
plied.
national holiday, Labor Day, and
there was a barbecue for the
In Holbrooke's defense
American community in Israel.
He also had another commit-
Many readers who know Rich-
ment about a women's shelter," he
ard Holbrooke were shocked by
said Tuesday.
what they saw as a hatchet job on
"So he had very good and ap-
the assistant secretary of state
propriate things to do, one event
by a British newspaper.
0 importance to Israelis, another
Embassy Row published ex-
event of importance to Amer-
cerpts from the London Daily
icans, and he is the American
Telegraph news service story on
ambassador."
Tuesday, but that did not mean
The Israeli governm ent consid-
that this column agreed with its
ered his absence — alon g with 70
observations.
other mvited ambassador an
This column has never found
insult.
-Mr. Holbrooke to be "arrogant,
pushy, self-serving and obscenely
ambitious," as he was described
Wu at White House?
by the Telegraph.
Harry Wu, the human-rights
But the story was intriguing,
advocate expelled from China
especially because it came from
just before first lady Hillary
the respected London daily.
Clinton decided to go to Beijing,
Just who was saying all those
speaks today at the National
nasty things about Mr. Hol-
Press Club at 3 p.m.
brooke?
Mr. Wu yesterday stopped by
Many Embassy Row readers,
the Washington office of Am-
being seasoned Washington
nesty International to thank the
hands, suspected the long knives
organization for its support while-
were after Mr. Holbrooke as his
he was imprisoned in China.
star was rising quickly on the in-
Amnesty International, mean-
ternational stage.
while, asked President Clinton to
With responsibility for Euro-
meet Mr. Wu.
pean affairs, he is at the center of
Executive Director William
issues from Bosnia to the expan-
Schulz, in a letter, urged Mr. Clin-
sion of the North Atlantic Treaty
ton to "send a strong political
Organization.
message to China" by inviting
The Telegraph hinted broadly
Mr. Wu to the White House.
at the root of his troubles.
"A meeting with Mr. Wu will
"Mr. Holbrooke is privately
offer you the opportunity to spell
critical of the way Warren Chris-
out your personal commitmen to
topher, secretary of state, at-
help end human rights abuses in
tempts to oversee U.S. foreign
China," he wrote.
policy," the Telegraph said.
"His contempt is returned in
spades from rivals at the
State Department
the Penta-
gon and the White House
"
If you have a tip, suggestion or
question, call Embassy Row at
202/636-3297.
INSIDETHE
BELTWAY
By John McCaslin
Murphy's Law
No train wrecks in Tom
Daschle's Senate office.
That was Mr. Daschle's ruling
yesterday, when the minority
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1995
The Washington Times
leader told reporters the cliche
was used too often to describe the
oncoming budget battle with the
White House.
"We ought to ban the word
'train wreck' from this room," the
South Dakota Democrat said dur-
Sen. Tom Daschle is working on
ing his morning news conference.
replacing the "train wreck' cliche.
"It conjures up notions of total
chaos."
Reporters suggested "bumper
ments. In addition, the commis-
cars," or the Beltway-favorite
sion was the preparatory body
"truck wreck" referred to
for the Beijing conference, re-
recently by Sen. Phil Gramm,
sponsible for its agenda, budget
Texas Republican.
and rules of procedure.
But Mr. Daschle rejected those
"Although the U.S. can partici-
phrases, saying "we can do better
pate as an observer - — as can ev-
than that." He promised to get
back to us with a better cliche.
ery other member of the United
Nations not on the CSW - it will
In the meantime, no such ban
is in effect at the White House.
clearly be hampered in its efforts
During a brief encounter with re-
to defend itself," Mr. Bolton said.
porters yesterday, President Clin-
"Offensive resolutions will be
ton said: "We should not have a
harder to block or tone down, in-
train wreck; there's no reason to
cluding not only those on core
have a train wreck."
women's issues, but on more po-
litical ones as well.
At least one vote
"It is a fine irony," he added,
"that the Clinton administration,
We found GOP presidential
so publicly and politically com-
hopeful Lamar Alexander's cam-
mitted to its own gender-based
paign spokesman, Dan McLagen,
personnel selections, lost this
in New Hampshire yesterday.
election. One might have thought
What's the good news?
that Madeleine Albright, the U.S.
Well, Dan didn't hesitate. "Jef-
permanent representative in New
ferson County, Florida, held its
York with Cabinet-level status,
convention over the weekend and
would have had this election
selected delegates to the Repub-
prominently displayed on her ra-
lican convention - four delegates
dar.screens."
total, three of which were elected
officials who get in automatically.
The one remaining delegate was
Thompson in 96
drawn out of a hat.
The Bradley Foundation
"And wouldn't you know they
wouldn't mind seeing William
happened to draw the name of
Lamar's cousin, Duncan Rose.
Bennett as vice president on the
Lamar Alexander ticket. But
Thev just picked him out the hat."
don't read that as an endorse-
ment.
Beijing bust
Michael Joyce, president of the
Lost in the pomp and cere-
philanthropic organization that
mony of the United Nations
supports conservative causes,
Fourth World Conference on
shared the spotlight with both
Women in Beijing is the fact that
Mr. Bennett and Mr. Alexander
the United States even with
on Tuesday when the two former
first lady. Hillary Rodham Clinton
secretaries ofeducation visited
in attendance has no pull in
Milwaukee to wave the flag for
the proceedings.
school choice.
And the Clinton administration
"When Lamar Alexander and
has no one to blame but itself.
Bill Bennett were in town, many
As John R. Bolton, a Wash-
people were remarking what an
ington lawyer who was assistant
excellent slate they'd make, ei-
secretary of state for interna-
ther way," Mr. Joyce told this col-
tional organization affairs in the
umn yesterday. "But the issue
Bush administration, pointed out
was confused when suddenly
last year, the United States at the
[Wisconsin] Governor Tommy
start of this year was denied re-
election to the U.N. Commission
Thompson showed up, and then
on the Status of Women (CSW).
there were too many excellent
candidates!"
"A stunning and nearly unprec-
edented development," Mr. Bolton
observed, for not only that, "the
Greener Gorby
United States actually came in
Former Soviet President Mi-
last in the voting" - behind
Greece, Germany and Belgium,
khail Gorbachev is coming to
which all won seats.
town Oct. 10, kicking off the
"So bad were things for the
Greater Washington Society of
United States," Mr. Bolton noted,
Association Executive Founda-
"that Turkey, realizing it could
tion's Nation's Capital Distin-
not win a seat, actually withdrew
guished Speakers Series at the
in favor of Greece."
John F. Kennedy Center for the
CSW was created in 1946 to
Performing Arts.
monitor women's rights in politi-
One of the 20th century's most
cal, economic, social and educa-
influential leaders, Mr. Gorba-
tional matters. Its working group
chev continues to exercise his vi-
also considers allegations of dis-
sion on behalf of Russia, but now
erimination against women and
mostly through his commitment
responses from accused govern-
to environmental issues.
ASHINGTON INSIGHT: Speculation Rampant
Gramm, R-Texas, chairman of the Senate Appropriations
on Blinder's Fed Plans (c) 1995, Los Angeles
subcommittee that will decide the fate of the $13.5 million
Times=
measure, heard about it last weekend when he campaigned for
the GOP presidential nomination in New Hampshire. That
WASHINGTON Speculation is rampant within the Federal
state's chief justice, David A. Brock, vice chairman of the
Reserve these days about the future plans of Fed Vice
institute's board, spent about 45 minutes with Gramm. Later,
Chairman Alan Blinder. Many Fed observers are convinced
an institute source said Gramm told Brock that he had made
that Blinder is planning to leave the Fed when his term ends
some important points in arguing for salvaging the institute.
Jan. 31 and return to Princeton University, where he was an
economics professor before joining the Clinton administration
as a member of the Council of Economic Advisers in 1993.
They believe that Blinder will leave the Fed because he is
convinced that President Clinton will reappoint Alan
America's Religious Right Takes Fight to
Greenspan to a third term as Fed chairman
Women's Conference By Larry B. Stammer= (c)
next March, shutting Blinder out of the chance to take the
1995, Los Angeles Times=
helm of the nation's central bank. Some also note that Blinder
Marking a major turning point in its political activism
may not feel that he fits in at the conservative Fed. Unlike
around the issues of abortion, homosexuality and family
other members of the Fed board of governors, he doesn't
values, America's religious right is striding onto the
believe that Congress should change the law that now requires
international stage by taking its fight to the United Nations'
the Fed to pursue two basic objectives: price stability and full
Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing.
employment. Greenspan and others believe that the law should
Major radio ministries such as James Dobson's Focus on the
be changed to make price stability the Fed's only legal
Family and Beverly LaHaye's Concerned Women for America
objective. Despite the
have dispatched delegations to China to challenge what they
gossip, Blinder issued a statement saying that he has not made
charge is the conference's `anti-family" agenda.
a decision about his plans. But Clinton would probably
The largest gathering ever of women in the world, the
reappoint him if he wants to stay.
conference opened Monday with 4,750 official delegates
from 181 countries. An unofficial but affiliated
-0-=
conference opened a week ago in a nearby Beijing suburb,
drawing 23,000 representatives of non-governmental
LOSING STREAK: For the first time in the memory of
organizations.
veteran Supreme Court observers, the U.S. solicitor general,
Until now, the Roman Catholic Church and some Muslim
the administration's top courtroom lawyer, actually lost more
countries have provided the central opposition at these
cases than he won before the court in the last term. The
international conferences, questioning what they see as
government can choose which cases to appeal, so it usually
moral failings in the conferences' attempts to expand the
wins at least three-fourths of them. But in the last year, the
availability of birth control and abortion.
solicitor general's office took part in 25 cases and lost 13. One
Last year, for example, Vatican diplomats acting on
reason may be that Solicitor General Drew S. Days III, a Yale
orders from Pope John Paul II contested efforts at the
University law professor on leave, has the unenviable task of
U.N. Conference on Population and Development in Cairo,
defending liberal causes before a conservative court. This term
Egypt to make contraception and abortion more accessible
may prove better, or at least safer. Days elected to stay out of
to women.
the highest profile case in the fall, the challenge to Colorado's
But Protestants aligned with the religious right's
anti-gay-rights initiative.
anti-abortion agenda stayed away.
``I thank God that Pope John Paul really blocked some
-0-=
of those objectives in Cairo," said Dobson.
'Evangelicals slept through the whole thing."
SEA STORY: Top Navy admirals are busting their buttons
Not any more. Evangelical Protestants have joined the
over the fact that the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt is
Vatican and such leading Islamic clerics as Saudi Arabia's
playing a key role in the latest series of NATO air strikes in
Abdul-Aziz Bin Baz in sounding new alarms over the Beijing
Bosnia. Navy officials were demoralized when carrier pilots
agenda.
took a back seat to the Air Force during the 1991 Persian Gulf
Because the U.N. proposal touches so directly on
War. Not only did the sea service get cut out of much of the
religious issues, the Beijing conference has become the
action, but its bombing raids often missed their targets because
latest proving ground and bully pulpit for the religious
Navy attack planes did not have the precision-guided
right in its drive to establish
munitions (PGM) that enabled the Air Force to shoot missiles
a unifying moral hegemony in an increasingly diverse and
down chimneys. Since then, however, the Navy has upgraded
pluralistic world.
its PGM capability, and the
It remains to be seen what impact religious
admirals are quick to point out that the deployment of the
conservatives will have in Beijing. They admit they will
carrier showed the value of maintaining ``a naval presence" in
be in the minority.
key hot spots around the globe.
Practically speaking, the religious right has two
immediate aims. First, to keep up pressure on the
-0-=
Republican party to take a conservative line in next
year's U.S. presidential campaign. Second, to oppose any
COURT LOBBYING: State court officials nationwide,
effort to encourage other countries to adopt liberalized
including California Chief Justice Malcolm Lucas, are engaged
abortion policies similar to those in the West.
in a heavy lobbying campaign to persuade the Senate to kill a
The proposed U.N. action plan, when adopted, would not
House measure that would eliminate funding for the State
be binding on any country. But it would represent an
Justice Institute. Lucas, a Republican and former chairman of
important international consensus on a wide range of
the institute's board of directors, declared it was
women's issues from education to abortion and serve as a
``inconceivable" that the GOP- dominated Congress would
model for developing countries.
dismantle the "only item in the federal budget designed to
For weeks Dobson, LaHaye and others such as former
help state courts manage an overwhelming number of criminal
Pennsylvania Gov. Robert P. Casey's Campaign for the
cases with greater speed, efficiency and justice." Sen. Phil
American Family have carried out an intensive campaign on
Satalking
S&
ristian radio stations and in the press assailing the
(Optional add end)
conference as anti-family.
Dobson has called the conference `the biggest threat
One of the most prominent charges made by religious
to the family that's ever occurred in the history of the
right leaders is the claim that the proposed U.N. action
world" and characterized its proposed action plan as
plan redefines the term gender to not only mean male and
"Satan's trump card."
female, but ``homosexual, lesbian and transgender."
He has urged his listeners to register protests by
But defenders of the action plan say those complaints
calling radio talk shows, writing letters to the editor,
are drawn not from the document itself, but from
brining up the issue in private conversations, and writing
discussions that took place among conference delegates
members of Congress. In China, his four-member delegation
during preliminary discussions in New York.
put on a workshop for delegates on the importance of a
Indeed, Dobson and others cite as their source not the
two-parent family.
U.N. draft itself, but a paper by conservative writer and
Friday, Dobson plans to go on his nationwide radio show
lecturer Dale O'Leary entitled, "Gender: The
to assail first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton's speech,
Deconstruction of Women." In it, O'Leary reports on wide
which she delivered Tuesday in Beijing. Dobson office said
ranging discussions at so-called prep-com meetings,
while she talked about the importance of motherhood and
gatherings held in advance of the Beijing conference, in
the family, the Clinton administration continues to support
which participants offered input into what they hoped the
a U.N. proposal that undermines the family.
final U.N. document would say.
"There is nothing in the conference document that
O'Leary concluded that the ``gender feminists" seek to
reflects her rhetoric," Dobson associate Caia Mockaitis
blame religion as a major cause of the oppression of
said Wednesday in Colorado Springs, Colo. "This document
women, and the use of the term gender really denotes "a
is really hostile to marriage, to motherhood and the
hidden/unacceptable agenda" that includes ``tolerance of
family. We feel that the first lady is trying to put a
non-heterosexual identities and orientation."
pretty face on'a radical agenda."
LaHaye told her listeners before the conference opened
that the word "family" is mentioned nowhere in the
document except to refer to abuse of women and children.
NATO Airstrikes Slow to Move Recalcitrant
``Motherhood is belittled and the family is seen as the
Serbs By Tracy Wilkinson and Dean E.
foundation of abuse," she said. "Why does the U.S.
Murphy= (c) 1995, Los Angeles Times=
delegation support these ideas when, in reality, these
concepts are extremely dangerous to the celebration of
SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina NATO bombers again
womanhood?"
soared into action Wednesday against Bosnian Serb targets, but
it was becoming clear that forcing the rebel separatists to ease
LaHaye's delegation took anti-abortion and other
conservative literature to Beijing in a move to influence
the siege of this battered capital is going to take a long time.
the thinking of other delegates, particularly those from
Soupy skies and low fog curtailed the NATO air campaign
for a second day, giving the Serbs a reprieve they used to
developing countries.
further dig in their heels.
In appealing for donations from her 750,000 listeners
Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic said his forces
to finance a five-member delegation's trip to China, LaHaye
warned of the conference's ``radical feminist agenda."
cannot withdraw additional weapons from the Sarajevo area
because Serb civilians would be left defenseless.
One elderly couple was so moved by her alarm, she said
"We are under terrible attack by NATO," Karadzic said
that they attached a note to their check saying they were
buying fewer groceries and watering their lawn less to
in an interview with CNN conducted in his headquarters in
nearby Pale. ``They are bombarding us so terribly that it
scrape together a donation.
``That really touches my heart," LaHaye said.
hasn't been seen since second World War in Europe, and it
can't be justified by any reasons."
It also touched a nerve in Washington.
Karadzic, an indicted war criminal because of his
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Madeleine K.
Albright complained Monday, while en route to Beijing with
army's use of murder, rape and intimidation to build an
Mrs. Clinton, that conservatives in the United States are
ethnically "pure" state, has refused to comply with U.N.
distorting the conference's purposes.
and NATO demands that the Serbs' big guns be removed 12
miles from Sarajevo.
A day earlier, Mrs. Clinton, honorary head of the U.S.
In fact, U.N. monitors detected only one of the Serbs'
delegation, wrote in a newspaper column that she was
saddened that ``a small but vocal band of critics (is)
estimated 300 heavy weapons being moved on Tuesday, and
trying to spread the notion that the U.N. gathering is
even then, not very far. Most of the guns, which have been
used routinely to shell the capital, have been hidden in
really the work of radicals and atheists bent on destroying
our families."
the forests surrounding Sarajevo, making them tough to
locate.
And the United States' official government delegation
to Beijing has mounted its own public relations campaign
In Washington, State Department spokesman Nicholas
Burns labeled Karadzic's CNN interview "a cynical
to discredit charges from the religious right that the
charade."
U.N. action plan followed a radical feminist agenda and
``They said they were complying, when in fact they
was anti-family.
weren't complying," he said. "It is cynicism and it is a
``It drives me slightly crazy when I hear people going
charade, and we were certainly not fooled by it.
They
off on a rampage about the silliness that they think that
is in this U.N. document," said Geraldine A. Ferraro,
moved a few weapons around inside the 20-kilometer zone
around Sarajevo. They didn't move any weapons outside of
ambassador to the U.N. Human Rights Commission and vice
that zone. And the West in this case the U.N. and NATO
chair of the U.S. delegation to Beijing.
had every right and indeed an obligation to resume the air
Far from being anti-family, she and others said the
campaign."
action plan seeks to strengthen families by advocating
He said the Bosnian Serbs ``ought to learn the lesson
equal education for women and girls, condemning violence
this is not temporary, this is not illusory, it's not
against women and the ``feminization of poverty," and to
something that can be waited out, because there's a
demanding adequate health care for all of women's needs,
collective expression of international will here that the
not just issues of birth control and abortion.
time has come to move to the peace table."
States has done enough yet to rein in the Bosnian and
"Give a woman a seed and she will plant it. She will water it,
Croatian governments.
nurture it, then reap it, share its fruit and finally she will
"Bombing can contribute to peace only if a delicate balance
replant it.
is maintained among all parties," said Alexander Nenadovic,
Meanwhile, most of China's 1.2 billion people were unaware
former editor of the leading newspaper Politika. "I'm not sure
that Hillary Clinton was even in town. No Chinese newspaper,
this American government can do that."
radio or TV station had made any reference to her. Officials
(EDITORS: STORY CAN TRIM HERE)
pulled the plug on closed-circuit television to hotel rooms,
One issue of prime concern will be the future of
blacking out Hillary Clinton's speech.
eastern Slavonia, captured by Serbia from Croatia during
Chinese officials said privately the blackout order
their war three years ago. Politicians and diplomats said
came from the ruling Politburo.
they think Milosevic will be prepared to yield control of
U.S. diplomats believed Beijing's silence over Hillary
this area, if some formula can be devised to leave the
Clinton's visit might be a positive sign. Rather than further
issue for future discussion.
sour bilateral relations with the United States, which is China's
They said he probably would be agreeable to letting it
most important export market, the government may have
be administered by the United Nations for a transition
decided to simply ignore her criticism.
period of about five years. Croatian President Franjo
The first lady's visit Wednesday to Huairou, site of the
Tudjman has said it intends to get eastern Slavonia back
nongovernmental Women's Forum, was turned into chaos by
in the coming year, either peacefully or by military means.
China's formidable security apparatus. Bogus Chinese delegates
The sources said Milosevic is guided above all by a
tried to interrupt women's seminars and workshops to complain
wish to get international sanctions on Serbia removed.
about American lies."
That is not likely to happen soon, diplomats said, because
"They'll never get another international event
first a peace plan must be negotiated and put into effect.
again," snapped Donna Shalala, the U.S. Health Secretary.
Nenadovic said that once sanctions are removed,
Shalala and Winston Lord, the assistant secretary of
Milosevic's real problems will begin. It will then become
state for the Far East, stood in the rain for 45 minutes
apparent to Serbs, he said, just how much their economy
trying to persuade Chinese security to let them into a
has been wrecked by the war and how far behind the rest of
Huairou hall where Hillary Clinton was about to speak.
Eastern Europe it has fallen.
Standing nearby, also being denied entry into the hall,
While reforming the economy, he said, Milosevic will
was Madam Chirac, wife of French President Jacques Chirac,
also have to loosen some of his authoritarian controls
actress Jane Fonda and author Betty Friedan, one of the
over society and allow greater personal freedom.
founders of the women's movement in the United States. Of
``In a sense, Milosevic will have to defeat himself to
the small group, only Friedan was unable to eventually
survive," he said.
squeeze inside amid shoves and shouts.
"Give 'em hell, Hillary," hollered some of the women
waiting outside.
In her remarks, Clinton repeated her criticism of
China government snubs Hillary Clinton with
Chinese treatment of the thousands of women activists who
news blackout of her presence in China By Uli
have flooded into the country for a meeting held only once
Schmetzer Chicago Tribune
every 10 years.
BEIJING China's government, peeved by Hillary Rodham
Many women said that, besides having trouble getting visas,
Clinton's rebukes on human rights, has snubbed America's first
they were harassed and put under police surveillance on
lady with a news blackout of her presence in China and her
arriving.
fiery speech to the United Nations Conference on Women
``I know that you have had to endure severe frustrations
here.
here as you do your work," Hillary Clinton said to cheers.
As Clinton flew off to Mongolia Thursday morning after a
Clinton's bluntness in her speeches encouraged others
to follow her lead.
whirlwind two-day visit to a conference where she was hailed
as a champion of women's rights, she left behind a host nation
On Wednesday, delegates from the tiny Pacific island of
that felt it had lost face before the world. She also left a big
Nauru circulated a petition to the 30,000 women delegates
question mark over already strained Sino-U.S. relations.
demanding an apology from the United Nations for allowing
"There are places for her type of criticism, but this was not
China to move the Women's Forum of non-governmental
one of them. You don't insult your hosts," snapped a Chinese
organizations to the farming town of Huairou, more than an
foreign ministry official.
hour's drive from the capital.
In Washington Wednesday, President Clinton sought to
"The U.N. was fully aware the town's facilities and
minimize the impact of the speech on U.S.-China relations,
conditions were inadequate," the petition said, referring
saying, "There was no attempt to single any country out" for
to the tent city now covered in a sea of mud where
criticism by Clinton.
workshops and seminars are being held.
In the part of her speech Tuesday aimed most directly at
Madeleine Albright, the U.S. ambassador to the United
Nations added more fuel to the fire when she told the
China, the first lady said it was ``indefensible" that many
women had been denied visas to travel to China for the
conference plenary session Wednesday: "The right to free
conference.
expression has been called into question right here at a
"What she said is what we've both said many, many times
conference conducted under the auspices of the U.N. and
on issues that affect China," the president said. "Much of her
whose very purpose is the free and open discussion of
speech pertained to conditions in other countries, not China,
women's rights."
and some of it pertained to conditions in our country as well.
So I thought it was a balanced speech."
Though her hosts were peeved, Clinton's fellow delegates
hailed her as '`the voice of women" and applauded her remarks
Wednesday when she pleaded for bankers and financial
institutions to increase lending to poor women and give them a
chance for economic independence.
``It takes just a few dollars to take a woman out of poverty,"
she told a panel of the U.N. Development Fund for Women.
Chinese Jostle
Thousands
Of Women
At Forum
By SETH FAISON
HUAIROU, China, Sept. 6 - In a
Beyond the recriminations over to-
scene that verged on pandemonium,
day's events, deeper differences be-
tween the United States and China
hundreds of Chinese security officers
were evident in Mrs. Clinton's criti-
jostled thousands of women eager to
see Hillary Rodham Clinton at the
cisms of China's human rights
temporary center of worldwide
record and in a biting speech by
women's activism here today, but
Madeleine K. Albright, the United
did not stop Mrs. Clinton from speak-
States representative to the United
Nations and the head of the Ameri-
ing forcefully on human rights for a
second day in a row.
can delegation to the Beijing confer-
ence.
Frustrated by a driving rain, more
than 1,500 women had to fight their
"Freedom to participate in the po-
way past security officers to get into
-litical process of our countries is the
a converted movie theater where
inalienable right of every woman
Mrs. Clinton spoke. Yet thousands
and man. Deny that, and you deny
more were left outside soaking in the
everything," said Ms. Albright, re-
rain, angry and complaining that
ferring to the universality of human
China had demeaned their forum of
rights but not sparing China. Ms.
THE NEW YORK TIMES, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1995
nongovernmental groups by setting
Albright met with Foreign Minister
it in a small town ill-equipped to
Qian Qichen shortly before she
handle the meeting.
spoke and informed him of what she
would discuss. She said she was
The Chinese authorities said the
Americans made a last-minute de-
deeply troubled by forced abortions,
which often occur as a result of Chi-
mand to move the speech from an
'
outdoor parade ground because of
na's one-child family policy, and
the rain and were thus to blame for
urged China to treat its women with
the confusion.
respect.
Mr. Qian did not raise the issue of
An American official agreed that
Mrs. Clinton's criticism of Beijing,
the switch had been made at 8 A.M.,
an American official said. But the
less than two hours before Mrs. Clin-
Chinese delegation apparently boy-
ton was to speak. But he added that
cotted Ms. Albright's speech.
the problem arose because the au-
A senior administration official
thorities had insisted on Huairou as
said the Americans were still wait-
the forum site, apparently to keep
ing for a formal response to Mrs.
the 30,000 participants far from Bei-
Clinton's speech, which some feared
jing, 35 miles away, the site of the
could derail the recent progress
official United Nations conference.
made in repairing strained relations
He also said that the rain was no
between the two countries.
justification for the chaos.
In a 15-minute address, Mrs. Clin-
Donna Shalala, Secretary of
ton expressed her sympathy for the
Health and Human Services, and
troubles that forum participants had
Winston Lord, Assistant Secretary of
experienced in meeting in Huairou
State, were each gruffly shoved aside
and urged the private groups to
by a crush of security officers before
continue their work toward the goals
making their way inside.
being discussed at the Beijing con-
"What's going on here?" shouted
ference.
Betty Freidan, one of the founders of
"You will be the key players in
the modern women's movement,
determining whether this conference
who was slammed against a wall by
goes beyond rhetoric and actually
Chinese police. She was left in the
does something to improve the lives
rain, unable to enter.
of women," Mrs. Clinton said. "What
It was not clear how much the
will be important is that you hold
rough manner of the police had to do
Governments to the commitments
with official irritation over a speech
that they make."
Mrs. Clinton gave in Beijing Tuesday
Despite the widespread frustra-
that criticized China for its heavy
tion when they couldn't get in; some
handed security at the forum here
women tried a generous approach.
and forcefully defended human
Seeing many of the young security
rights, and how much was simply a
officers shivering in the cold rain
result of poor accommodations and
without coats or hats, an elderly
inadequate planning.
woman in a pink floral skirt and
The Tuesday speech was made to
sandals walked over and stood next
the Fourth World Conference on
to one, holding her umbrella over his
Women, a United Nations-sponsored
head. Her example encouraged sev-
event. The meeting in Huairou is a
eral other women to follow suit.
parallel gathering whose partici-
"I am a mother and I have a heart
pants come not from Government
for them," said the woman, Harrieta
delegations but from independent
Jack from Papua New Guinea.
groups.
"There is always time to help."
Police Block U.S. Entourage at China Forum
By Steven Mufson
with hands held aloft. When Clinton
Washington Post Foreign Service
CHINA, From A27
determine whether this conference
tor. But the young Chinese people as-
finally arrived at mid-morning, the
goes beyond rhetoric and actually
sisting foreign guests take her up and
HUAIROU, China, Sept. 6-Cor-
crowd rose to its feet to applaud her.
center; today she made the more
does something," Clinton said.
down by piggyback. And she met,
dons of Chinese soldiers and police
For members of the Clinton Cabi-
than one-hour drive to this small
While government delegations in
among other people, someone from
net, as well as hundreds of angry
town to address a boisterous crowd
locked arm in arm kept some U.S.
Beijing ponder the language of a
the same Lapland village of reindeer
women who wanted to get inside, it
of women who came from around
officials and other delegates strand-
"Platform for Action," the most ener-
herders where she lived for 10 years.
ed in the rain today as they tried to
took some doing to get through the
the world to the Nongovernmental
getic portion of this world conference
"When you travel, things never go
Chinese soldiers and police lined up
Organizations Forum on Women,
on women has been in Huairou,
as one expects," she said. "There are
get into a theater to hear Hillary
Rodham Clinton address a forum of
outside the hall..
which is running in parallel with the
where for the past week a vast array
always bumps and potholes. You deal
THE WASHINGTON POST
It was the second day of Clinton's
official U.N. gathering. On Thurs-
of grass-roots groups have overcome
with them and go on."
nongovernmental organizations deal-
day, the first, lady will leave China
visit to China. On Tuesday, she ad-
obstacles and gathered to network,
After the U.N. meeting, it will be
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1995
ing with women's rights and prob-
for an overnight visit to Mongolia
dressed formal government delega-
argue, hug and exchange views and
these NGOs that will help carry out
lems.
before returning to Washington.
business cards.
tions to the U.N. Fourth World Con-
the platform and lobby governments
"I want to pay tribute to your per-
In her speech Tuesday, Clinton
ference of Women in the
"I've been making a lot of amazing
to make needed legal and funding
severance," Clinton said, referring
condemned the Chinese handling of
connections that I think will last a life-
changes.
both to those who braved the driving
well-appointed Beijing convention
the NGO Forum meeting in Huairou
time," said Rita Valent, a Seattle
"The meeting itself is the mes-
rain this morning and to those who
See CHINA, A29, Col. 1
as "indefensible." So when rain forced
woman who teaches in Beijing.
sage-the large number of women
have braved harassment and surveil-
Clinton indoors and created a crush of
The groups have ranged from
who came to Huairou, though pushed
lance from Chinese security officials
people trying to get in, the Chinese
women's banking groups to lesbian
out of Beijing by the Chinese govern-
over the past week in this partially
immediately started using a public ad-
groups, from Sudanese women in ex-
ment," said Betty Friedan. The veter-
rity men were wearing passes that
completed conference site.
dress system to blame the chaos on
ile seeking to promote a more liberal
an of the women's movement seemed
said "Liaison Committee Local Staff."
Health and Human Services Sec-
the first lady's decision to abandon
version of Islam to Tibetan exiles
to be everywhere and people from
The NGOs' perseverance has been
the outdoor site. A U.S. official later
retary Donna Shalala pushed
struggling for independence from Chi-
around the world stopped to listen
striking. As the crowd in the cinema
said that if China had provided an ade-
through like a fullback going for
na, from family planning groups to a
and have their photos taken with her.
waited today for Clinton, American
quate facility as it first pledged to do
political circus troupe from Australia,
When Clinton attended a health
singer Shirley Mae Stringer-Stratton
short yardage on fourth down before
as forum host, there would have been
from the Boston Tradeswomen's Net-
care workshop, Jane Fonda was sit-
of the group Sweet Honey in the
gaining entry as U.S. Secret Service
enough room.
work to the Society of Azerbaijani Oil-
ting in the first row. Other luminaries
Rock entertained people with song
agents shoved against Chinese secu-
It was only the latest of a string of
ers.
ranged from Sally Field to Bernadette
and monologue.
rity men.
controversies here at the NGO Fo-
The conference subject matter also
Chirac, the wife of the French presi-
"I'm going to run for mayor of
"The women's movement has
rum for women's groups that have
covered the gamut, from health care
dent.
Huairou," said Stringer-Stratton, who
been through tougher things than
chafed against Chinese attempts to
reform and economic empowerment
Many of the participants have been
has been working for the NGO Forum
this," Shalala said as the rain ran
limit rallies and demonstrations,
to "O.J. Simpson: Black Women Speak
complaining that the news articles
committee here since July. A black
down her face. Around her walked
newspapers and leaflets.
on Black Men, Violence and Interra-
about the women's conference have
woman, she said that people have
drenched and badly jostled members
The government was silent about
cial Relationships," from a workshop
been dominated by headlines about lo-
stared at her as she walked down the
of the first lady's entourage, includ-
Clinton's speech Tuesday, in which
on women's rights and international
gistics, distracting from the substance
street. "I decided then and there the
ing Assistant Secretary of State
she chastised Beijing for its treatment
law to one on flirting techniques for
of the conference.
I'd run for mayor of this fair town,"
of women in Huairou and said it was
lesbians.
Now that the U.N. conference has
she said.
Winston Lord, former New Jersey
When people shouted approval, she
governor Thomas Kean and former
time to stop the silence about human
"It's like a bargain basement," said
started, many of the key NGOs have
rights abuses of women.
Jill Martin, a young American.
moved people to the spiffier confer-
said: "I have really moved up. I'm
congresswoman Marjorie Margolies-
Clinton's appearance here sent a
"You've got to sift through a lot of
ence site in Beijing to lobby govern-
from the cotton fields of Georgia, and
Mezvinsky.
welcome message to the women who
crummy clothes to find something
ment delegates. For many it is a rare
look where I am."
Clinton's press secretary, Lisa Ca-
have struggled with conditions in
nice."
opportunity.
puto, missed the speech because she
Huairou where the main meeting hall
Many of the browsers felt they
Amnesty International has been
FOR MORE INFORMATION
was unable to push her way through.
is small, a central building is only
found something worthwhile and that
able to get people into China for the
For updates throughout the day on
Women started lining up at 4:30
partly finished and tents have been
it's been worth the search.
first time. Pierre Sane, an Amnesty
what is happening at the
this morning to get into a renovated
used as meeting places at sites that
A woman from British Columbia
official, can be seen moving around
conference, see Digital Ink, The
movie theater and hear the first lady
rainy weather has turned into fields of
who uses a wheelchair recounted how
the convention center with plain-
Post's on-line service. To learn
speak. Later more than 2,000 of
mud.
she has been assigned a room on the
clothes Chinese security men follow-
about Digital Ink, call
them crammed into the theater and
"You will be the key players who
sixth floor of a building with no eleva-
ing at a respectful distance. The secu-
1-800-510-5104, ext. 9000.
sang songs as they waited, swaying
THE WASHINGTON POST
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1995
Vatican Will Not Contest
For the Record
Language on Abortion
From a CNN television news interview
from Pale yesterday with Bosnian Serb
leader Radovan Karadzic:
By Steven Mufson
She said the Holy See was de-
decided to with-
Washington Post Foreign Service
termined to focus on the themes
Karadzic: We
draw heavy weaponry according to the
of the conference-equality, de-
[U.N. and NATO] demands, and we
BEIJING, Sept. 7 (Thursday)—
velopment and peace.
started to do it by night, because by the
The Vatican said Wednesday that
In other developments at the
daylight there was a possibility of attacks
it would not fight over language
conference, Madeleine K. Al-
by the Muslim side.
on reproductive rights at the U.N.
bright, the U.S. ambassador to
Suddenly, the next [Monday] morning,
Fourth World Conference on
the United Nations, took aim at
we got bombarded as if we didn't make
Women, a move that surprised
the Chinese government for its
any move. In fact, [Sunday] night we
delegations here that expected a
human rights record and its
[had] withdrawn as much weaponry as
renewed fight about abortion in
heavy-handed police tactics at the
we possibly could, considering the safety
negotiations over a women's
parallel conference of non-govern-
and security of the Serbian people.
rights manifesto.
mental women's organizations
Finally, I realized that NATO would
A senior Vatican negotiator,
taking place in the Huairou sub-
like to make us so weak that the Muslims
Janne Halland Matlary, said that
urb of Beijing.
could secure Sarajevo
but we can't
an all-out fight over reproductive
Echoing Hillary Rodham Clin-
leave Sarajevo, which was once entirely
issues could "sidetrack this con-
ton's speech to the conference
Serbian.
ference-and this will be very un-
Tuesday, Albright listed a variety
Q: Now you have a standoff
What
fortunate indeed."
of human rights abuses without
are you proposing be done now?
She and the head of the Vatican
naming countries where they are
A:
What we say is that Sarajevo is
delegation, American law profes-
practiced.
not blocked any longer. We have allowed
sor Mary Ann Glendon, reiterated
"No woman-whether in Bir-
United Nations to open road routes.
the church's adamant opposition
mingham, Bombay, Beirut or Bei-
Then we are ready to open routes from
to abortion and artificial contra-
jing-should be forcibly sterilized
Kiseljak to Sarajevo. Then we are ready
ception-but made it clear the
or forced to have an abortion," Al-
to normalize utilities, water, electricity
Vatican would not use the Beijing
and gas, and to discuss the reopening of
bright said in a speech to the con-
conference to contest language
ference.
the Sarajevo airport for the humanitarian
flights.
We have withdrawn as much
agreed to in a document drawn up
Albright also put rhetorical em-
weaponry as we could
during a U.N.-sponsored popula-
phasis on the family. "We are here
Q:
How much punishment can
tion conference last year in Cairo.
because we want to strengthen
you take?
Many other delegations had ex-
families, the heart and soul of any
A:
We have to suffer even more
pected the Vatican to be a major
society," Albright said. Where Hil-
and more destruction. We can't withdraw
obstacle to reaching agreement
lary Clinton had called the official
more weaponry than we did already be-
on a "Platform for Action," a
tactics at Huairou "indefensible,"
cause civilians do not allow us.
roughly 120-page document that
Albright called them "unconscio-
Q:
Last week a French warplane
must be approved by consensus
nable."
was shot down.
What happened to
by the more than 180 nations rep-
President Clinton said Wednes-
those two pilots? They seem to have
resented at this conference.
day that the first lady was not sin-
parachuted to safety. Do you have them?
Most groups expected the Vati-
gling out China for criticism when
A: This is really classified. I am not
can to reopen and try to retreat
she spoke about human rights.
ready to comment [on] it.
from language agreed to in Cairo.
"What she said is what we've both
Q: But even though it has been rev
But on Wednesday Glendon
said many, many times on issues
ported that you do have them?
said: "Our position has been to
that affect China. Much of her
A: I can't comment.
stick to Cairo and fight against
speech pertained to conditions in
any going back on the Cairo lan-
other countries, not China, and
guage. We want to make a con-
some of it pertained to conditions
structive and positive effort."
in our country as well," he said.
Women as Chattel: In China, Slavery Rises
By
SETH
FAISON
Al
other one," Ms. Fu said. "It's un-
ed by the man's persistence, finally
avoidable. But I don't think it will
blurting out: "Your wife has already
XIAN, China - In the shadow of
happen to me."
been abducted. You don't really
the ancient wall that still sur-
The police have little incentive to
want her back, do you?"
rounds this city, several hundred
stop the trade, for when they are not
Pursuing the case to the county
people gather each day along a
bribed to look the other way, they
level, the same man was told by a
muddy street to offer themselves
often meet resistance from local vil-
local official: "There are more than
to employers at an unofficial labor
lagers who, intent on protecting a
10,000 abducted women in this coun-
market.
neighbor, often argue that he has
ty. Some are teen-agers who have
Many are young women from
paid a fair price for a woman and
been sold to middle-aged men. Their
the countryside, and for them the
thus has a right to own her.
problems are more serious than
market holds a special danger: it
Chinese newspaper reports on the
yours, so it will be difficult to solve
may be the first stop on a journey
selling of women are generally lim-
your problem."
that begins with the promise of a
ited to success stories in which the
A later report in the same newspa-
job, sees rape and violent beatings
police have rescued a woman and
per argued that a contributing factor
along the way and ends in a life of
caught her abductors, cases that the
to the spread of selling women was
domestic slavery.
Countless women have been
advocates say are statistically rare.
indifference by local officials and, in
In a notable exception, The Legal
some cases, participation by offi-
kidnapped from this market in
Daily reported a particularly shock-
cials in getting the "marriages"
Xian, from similar markets in
ing case and in telling it could only
sanctioned.
other cities and from bus stops
and train stations in towns all
conclude: "Each attempt to fight the
"Not only do they not stop the
crime of abducting and selling of
villagers from abducting and selling
over China. Typically, a woman is
women seems to end in failure."
or buying women, but they also act
lured into the custody of one or
In that case, Zhao Meimei, 32, a
as go-betweens, put themselves for-
more criminal middlemen, beaten
married woman, was abducted in a
ward as witnesses, provide relevant
into submission and delivered to a
labor market like the one in Xian,
paperwork and go to the house to
stranger who will call her his wife.
then kidnapped and delivered to a
celebrate the 'wedding,' the news-
The Chinese call it "the abduct-
farmer named Wang in Tianzhuang
paper reported.
ing and selling of women." The
village about 400 miles north of here.
In recurring cycles of poverty and
THE NEW YORK TIMES, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1995
practice, mixing an age-old disre-
Mr. Wang kept her in a cave and
famine throughout Chinese history,
gard for the rights of women with
frequently beat and raped her. After
women and children have been sold
a modern passion for profit,
more than a year of living in the
by families that are starving, and in
seems to be rising at an alarming
cave, Ms. Zhao showed signs of men-
ordinary times, marriages in the
rate, Chinese advocates of wom-
tal illness, which grew worse after
countryside usually involved a busi-
en's rights and official Chinese
she gave birth to a daughter, who
ness transaction between families.
newspapers say.
was taken from her while she was
Even after involuntary marriage
The causes are many. Young
left in the cave.
was legally banned by the Commu-
women are more and more eager
No neighbors seem to have com-
nists, who came to power in 1949, a
to venture outside the safety of a
plained; a police chief in the county
strong emphasis on parental author-
home village; unmarried farmers
seat of Yulin heard about the case
ity meant that few rural women had
can increasingly afford the $250 to
only after a town official's wife visit-
any real choice of a mate.
$500 that it costs to buy them;
ing a relative in the village learned
middlemen more easily roam
of it.
Yet only in recent years has the
The police went to the village and
trade in women grown to include
from city to country to conduct
their business.
freed Ms..Zhao from the cave. But
networks of middlemen, operating
when they tracked down her home
without the consent of families, and
At the Fourth World Conference
village in neighboring Sichuan Prov-
these middlemen seem to have rela-
on Women, Chinese officials are
ince, officials there informed them
tively little fear of prosecution.
expected to join a chorus of calls
that her husband, after hearing
for better protection of the rights
"The Chinese Government did not
about her baby daughter and her
take sufficiently serious measures
of women. Yet when it comes to
mental illness, did not want her
against the trade, and now the so-
the selling of women, the authori-
back.
phisticated and organized nature of
ties show a tragic indifference to
The police were unable to find a
this modern slave trade makes com-
what women's rights advocates
home for Ms. Zhao, who was by that
bating it very difficult," wrote Hu-
now consider the most pernicious
time unable to care for herself. No
man Rights in China, a New York-
violation of human rights in their
effort was made to prosecute Mr.
based advocacy group, in a rèport
nation.
Wang, who never legally married
issued in August.
"This is the most horrific prob-
her, or to try to find the man who
Although the demand for buying
lem facing women in China to-
sold Ms. Zhao to him.
women has surged in recent years as
"With no other alternative, the po-1
ordinary farmers make more mon-
Continued on Page A10, Column 3
lice had no choice but to contact
ey, it is usually those of middling
Wang of Tianzhuang village and en-
affluence who want to purchase a
Continued From Page Al
trust him to take responsibility, pro-
"wife," because they cannot afford a
vided he could guarantee that from
wedding, which with a dowry and
day," said Wang Xingjuan, presi-
now on he would no longer mistreat
necessary wedding banquets typical-
dent of the Women's Research
Zhao," the Legal Daily reported.
ly costs more than $1,000.
Institute at the Chinese Academy of
"Then they handed her over to him."
Management Science in Beijing.
The selling of women is primarily
"We have to do more to stop it."
a rural phenomenon. While many
Although statistics are incomplete
women are abducted in cities, they
and many cases go unreported,
overwhelmingly come from, and are
women's advocates say that at least
delivered to, small villages and
tens of thousands of women are now
towns in the countryside. Since the
sold into slavery in China each year.
victims of these crimes are rural
Many escape, but many more,
women, advocates argue, they rank
ashamed to return to their families,
low on most police priority lists.
are believed to eventually accept
Local women's organizations, set
their predicament.
up in most city, town and county
"I know it's dangerous, but I don't
governments, often speak out
have any other choice," said Fu Li-
against the trade. But their calls are
tong, 20, a ruddy-faced woman in a
frequently muffled by the Commu-
dull, peach-colored dress who trav-
nist Party officials who supervise
eled about 200 miles from her rural
them.
village to come to the labor market
In some cases a relative trying to
here. "I'm not going back to the
find a missing woman runs into
village. Life is too hard there."
gross indifference, or even opposi-
Ms. Fu and several other women
tion, from the authorities.
standing around at the market one
China Women's News, in another
recent afternoon said they had heard
unusual report, told the story of a
about cases in which a woman was
man whose wife had been abducted
approached at the market by a man
in Anhui Province in 1991. A provin-
saying he would pay her well for an
cial official said he was unable to
office job, only to drive her away,
help the husband and became irritat-
rape her and sell her.
"Every week you hear about an-
604 S.W. Westwood Dr.
gerry Newhall
Portland, OR. 97201-2439
Joseph Johnston
10..
not
HE SUNDAY OREGONIAN, SEPTEMBER 3, 1995
FORUM
+
D5
Readers campaign for Clinton's column, which will stay
1 suggestion
aybe it was the call from
with the Clintons.
Please keep Mrs. Clinton's column in
phisticated enough to recognize 'elec-
M
Betty Ragsdale, my ninth-
I still think that.
The Oregonian
It offers me one
tioneering' when they read it."
R.C. Van Deusen, Portland: "She is
hat the
grade English teacher.
But in the long
more reason to read your paper, bring-
sufficiently intelligent to ensure that
irst lady's
Or maybe it was the call
ing the total to two."
Charlotte A. Rubin, Portland: "It's
the content of her column will reflect
run, readers will
from the woman who did not leave her
make their own
practically impossible these days to get
favorably upon herself
and gain
David Wardell, Portland: "Your sug-
name but did leave a blunt message
beyond the people who are creating the
judgments about
votes for her husband. She has plenty
pinions be
gestion that the first lady's column be
about my shortcomings, intellectual
image, to find out who our leaders real-
it based on what
of other opportunities to publicize her-
and otherwise.
discontinued is one that I very much
ly are.
Those we get to hear more
self.
Iropped by
they read in the
Please keep your distance from
In any case, I am persuaded that Hill-
BOB
disagree with. Silencing voices, espe-
than sound bites of are few and far be-
the Clintons."
newspaper.
he paper
cially those of thoughtful and interest-
tween.
And if the Republicans were
ary Rodham Clinton's column has a
CALDWELL
In any case, I
ing citizens
runs the risk of under-
in the White House? Sure, I'd like to see
Bill Daily, Portland: "Her views are ir-
hows she
substantial, loyal and vocal following.
am content to
mining the fabric of our democracy. I
a column."
relevant.
If (she were) not related to
Last week I suggested that The Ore-
The Public
point out that The
am frequently disgusted with some of
the president, she would get no atten-
Diane E. Hall, Salem: "We so seldom
las a big,
gonian drop Clinton's column, and I
Editor
Oregonian does
the notions expressed by columnists.
tion whatsoever."
asked for reader reaction to the sugges-
not plan to drop
Nevertheless, I would rush to their
hear the voices and the thoughts of peo-
oyal, vocal
tion. The responses - I counted 134 tel-
ple in the public which haven't been
Bill Britt, Beavercreek: "If the current
it, and to offer the last word here on the
support if your newspaper attempted to
ephone calls and 75 letters, postcards,
silence them by denying them the op-
disseminated through the press or
speaker of the House wanted to do a
ollowing
subject to those who responded to my
faxes and electronic-mail memos - per-
request for reactions. The responses
portunity to share their ideas with the
otherwise carefully edited. We are
column something like the Clinton one,
suaded me of a couple of other things,
public."
smart enough to make up our own
do you think The Oregonian would pub-
were about 9-to-1 in favor of keeping
too.
minds as to whether or not we agree
lish it?"
Clinton's column.
One is that there can be real value in
Marian Ford, Beavercreek: "I very
with her.
What are you trying to do,
allowing people in leadership positions
Here are some excerpts:
much appreciate that The Oregonian
turn The Oregonian into pure vanilla?"
Public editor Bob Caldwell's column
to speak directly to citizens, without
Kathleen Laskowski, Portland: "I
carries Hillary Clinton's column and
John Schirr, Salem: "Your objection
appears Sundays. If you have a com-
the filters that reporters and editors
found the topics of Mrs. Clinton's col-
hope it continues to do so. All of them
customarily apply.
are engaging and interesting reading.
to Hillary Clinton's weekly column
plaint or comment about The Oregon-
umns to be relevant and interesting.
Her concerns for children, families and
That is reason enough."
sounds like the usual tired example of
ian's news coverage or commentary, you
The other is that it is never a good
male chauvinism.
Whether the first
may contact him by phone at 221-8221, by
idea to sell people short. The heart of
women are universal and certainly bi-
Dawne Howard, Eugene: "I do not
lady is a Republican or Democrat, her
mail at The Public Editor, The Oregon-
my objection to the Clinton column, I
partisan. It was wonderful to see some
care where in the paper it is printed. I
activities should be of interest
be-
ian, 1320 S. W. Broadway, Portland
suppose, is a concern that running it
recognition in your paper of the 75th
do care that you realize that Oregon-
cause of her position and contacts with
97201; by fax at 294-5010 or by e-mail at
makes the newspaper seem too cozy
anniversary of women's suffrage.
ians who read the paper are usually-so-
the world."
[email protected].
After 7 Weeks, Detroit Newspaper Strike Takes a Violent Turn
would remain a member of the Guild
not, the unions said.
and "give much of what I earn to the
"You're dealing with forces that
people still on strike."
are very hard to control," said John
and The Detroit Free Press, dis-
the two newspapers are run under a
Guild members who did not return to
But, Mr. Albom said in an inter-
Lippert, a striking Free Press labor
By JAMES BENNET
persed about 2 A.M. today, permit-
joint venture, and since the strike
work by today. "Our offer to bring
view, "Newspapers are fire stations,
reporter. "You've got people who
DETROIT, Sept. 5 - With bar-
ting replacement workers to enter
began they have published a com-
everybody back is not possible any-
they are police stations, and they
are really on the brink of economic
and leave the plant.
bined edition.
more," said Heath J. Meriwether,
should not be shut down."
ruin."
gaining stalled, the seven-week
standoff here between two newspa-
Eight pickets were arrested in the
There is no sign of headway in the
the executive editor of The Free
Mr. Albom, who tried to broker an
Monday night and early this morn-
demonstration that began late Satur-
talks. Negotiators for one of the
Press.
agreement that would return strik-
ing, about 300 demonstrators tried to
pers and their striking unions has
day and spilled into Sunday. Twenty-
striking unions, the Newspaper
The 124 Guild members who had
ers to work during negotiations, said
block the gates of the plant, in Ster-
erupted into violence, as police bat-
three were arrested Monday night
Guild, met today with representa-
crossed the picket lines at The Free
"that he thought both sides in the
ling Heights just north of here. When
tled pickets who were illegally block-
and today. All were charged with
tives of The Free Press but reported
Press before the ultimatum were
dispute were wrong and that he did
50 to 60 police officers, carrying
ading a printing plant late Saturday
unlawful assembly, inciting to riot,
no progress. The Guild is battling an
joined by only one other by: today.
not want to be seen as supporting
shields, marched forward to clear a
and again late Monday.
disorderly conduct or resisting ar-
attempt by management to impose a
But he was a significant one: Mitch
either. "I didn't want to be waved as
path, the pickets pushed them back.
In Monday night's melee, police
rest.
merit raise system and to limit over-
Albom, a sports columnist who is
a flag," he said.
Chief Thomas Derocha of the Ster-
officers in riot gear fired pepper
About 2,500 journalists, printers,
time, while the other unions are
probably the newspaper's best
The demonstration late Saturday
ling Heights Police Department said
spray at pickets who pelted them
truck drivers, maintenance workers
fighting over job security, control of
known and most popular writer.
and early Sunday, by about 3,000
demonstrators began throwing half-
with auto parts and swatted them
and others, represented by six differ-
the workplace and other issues.
Mr. Albom began his column
strikers and their supporters, was
pound pieces of steel used to make
with their signs. The demonstrators,
ent unions, struck the newspapers on
The Free Press said last week that
about the strike today with one
planned by the unions. But Monday
automobile steering columns, appar-
on strike against The Detroit News
July 13. The business operations of
it would start permanently replacing
word: "Enough." He wrote that he
night's more violent disruption was
ently stolen from a nearby plant.
THE
NEW
YORK
TIMES
NATIONAL
WEDNESDAY,
SEPTEMBER
6,
1995
A17
Newsweek Basks After Scoop Over Time on the Powell Memoirs
zines were told about the book, which
Mr. Pondiscio said Time was still
had not yet been written, and given
planning to run the excerpts next
the opportunity to submit bids for
week (dated Sept. 18) and that other
General Powell's book, "My Ameri-
But Mr. Evans was quick to point
opsis are people who read Cliff Notes
excerpt rights. People in the indus-
news would dictate whether the
By DEIRDRE CARMODY
can Journey."
out that while Newsweek may have
instead of actual literature.'
try said no one was asked to sign
Powell story made the cover.
In the news business, there is still
"This is part of the game," chuck-
squeezed some of the juiciest news
In its coverage, Newsweek was
confidentiality agreements.
Mr. Pondiscio also said Random
nothing that beats scooping the com-
led Mortimer B. Zuckerman, chair-
out of the book - for instance when
careful not to quote from the book, to
Although Random House and
House was responsible for security
petition - particularly when it in-
man and editor in chief of U.S. News,
General Powell reports that Presi-
avoid raising copyright questions.
Time declined to give figures, indus-
so that "it's possible that this does
volves big time rivals.
about Newsweek getting there first.
dent George Bush wanted to name
Instead, it ran analyses of the book
try sources estimated that Time
change Time's financial obligation"
Newsweek did just that to Time
"It's legitimate."
him Director of Intelligence and
by its chief political correspondent,
paid $300,000 for the rights. It was
to Random House.
These were not exactly the feel-
President Clinton sounded him out
Howard Fineman, and its national
not clear whether this included the
this week with its cover story on the
Maynard Parker, editor of News-
memoirs of Gen. Colin L. Powell.
ings expressed by Random House
about being Secretary of State - it
security correspondent, John Barry.
price of taking out ads for the book in
week, declined to say how Newsweek
and at Time. "Newsweek having
misses the flavor of the General's
The Associated Press picked up the
Time and the company's other publi-
had acquired a copy of the book.
Time had bought exclusive rights
failed in the auction simply stole a
own words in describing his life.
Newsweek articles and as a result it
cations, a common practice in these
"We ran a news story about a
from Random House to excerpt the
copy," fumed Harold Evans, execu-
"What Newsweek has done is like
has run in many newspapers.
kinds of contracts, which often have
newsworthy individual and reported
book, by outbidding Newsweek and
tive vice president and publisher of
just coming out with the plot of Ma-
No one is claiming that Newsweek
added benefits for both parties. For
facts and ideas that I think were
U.S. News & World Report last year.
the Random House Adult-trade Divi-
dame Bovary," Mr. Evans said.
actually broke any contracts or
instance, Time is throwing a book
important to our readers," he said.
Time planned to publish a 7,500-word
sion. "They have just about broken
At Time, spokesman-Robert Pon-
copyright laws, although Mr. Evans
party Tuesday in Washington for
"We managed to find a copy of the
cover story next week, coinciding
every journalistic ethic you can
discio said, "The only people who
said his lawyers would look into this.
Gen. Powell and plans to invite some
book, so we went ahead with the
with the Sept. 15 publication date of
think of."
will be satisfied by Newsweek's syn-
In late 1993, the three news maga-
big advertisers.
story."
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1995
Before He Was Front-Runner
selling high-fructose corn syrup at levels
By MARTIN MORSE WOOSTER
slightly below artificially high sugar
prices. (Because of Mr. Dole's efforts to
Whether Bob Dole wins or loses his
keep sugar prices high-it should be
third bid for the presidency, his current
noted-consumers pay far more for sweet-
race for that post will be the capstone to
ened products than they would in a free
his 35-year career as a politician. But as
market.) ADM, its president, Dwayne An-
Mr. Dole pounds the campaign trail, the
dreas, and his family have contributed at
public has the right to know: What, if any-
least $80,000 to PACs controlled by Mr.
thing, does the senior senator from Kansas
Dole; and the ADM Foundation has con-
stand for?
tributed at least $150,000 to the Dole Foun-
Stanley G. Hilton and Richard Ben
dation, which aids the disabled. Mr. An-
Cramer' give quite different answers to
dreas helped Mr. Dole obtain an apart-
these questions. In "Senator for Sale" (St.
ment in a posh Bal Harbour, Fla., co-op at
Martin's, 308 pages, $22.95), Mr. Hilton, a
below-market prices.
former Dole aide who's now a San Fran-
But such entanglements are not the
cisco trial attorney, produces the now-
only measure of the man. It's clear that to
common book in which a disgruntled for-
understand Mr. Dole you have to study the
mer employee of a famous politician paints
political soil from which he sprang-some-
a supposedly scandalous portrait of his ex-
thing Mr. Hilton has done carefully.
boss. Mr. Cramer's portrait of Mr. Dole
For example, is Bob Dole really a con-
emerges from his 1993 book, "What It
servative? Though he has certainly ap-
peared so at times, he far too often ap-
Bookshelf
pears eager to show that he has a libêral
side, as he did with his support of food
stamps and his enthusiastic endorsement
"Senator for Sale"
of tax increases. After Mr. Dole led the ef-
fort to pass the massive 1982 tax increase,
By Stanley G. Hilton
Newt Gingrich branded him "the chief tax
"Bob Dole"
collector for the liberal welfare state.
By Richard Ben Cramer
Longtime home-state observers of Mr.
Dole say that they have no idea what Mr.
Takes," a mammoth account of the princi-
Dole stands for. According to John Woelk,
pal figures in the 1988 presidential cam-
who recruited Mr. Dole to run for the
paign. Vintage has extracted the Dole sec-
Kansas state legislature 45 years ago, Mr.
tions of "What It Takes" for separate pub-
Dole "still doesn't know if he is a liberal
lication, now out as a short paperback ti-
or a conservative, as he didn't know in
tled simply "Bob Dole" (165 pages, S11).
1950." Norbert Dreiling, who has watched
In several short chapters, Mr. Cramer
Mr. Dole since he entered politics, com-
produces snapshots of Mr. Dole's life, from
pared him to Lyndon Johnson as a politi-
his childhood in rural Kansas to his war
cian who "always accurately reflects the
service and subsequent political career. To
views of the constituency he happens to
describe Mr. Dole's life, Mr. Cramer
represent."
copies the breathless style of Tom Wolfe,
But who would a President Dole's con-
complete with ellipses and exclamation
stituents be? It's certainly possible that
points. Unfortunately, the reader will
Mr. Dole's indecisiveness, like Bill Clin-
learn very little from Mr. Cramer about
ton's, could cause his administration to
Mr. Dole's political accomplishments or
drift rudderless, shifting according to the
his political philosophy.
prevailing political winds. But Mr. Dole is
By contrast, Mr. Hilton, though a more
well-known for his dark streak, which
pedantic writer than Mr. Cramer, has pro-
manifested itself in his statement during
duced a book that has a great deal of in-
the 1976 vice-presidential debate that
teresting information. Mr. Hilton's
America's military conflicts during the
method is to collect every piece of mud he
20th century were "Democrat wars" and
can find, throw it at Mr. Dole and see if it
once led Sen. William Saxbe (R., Ohio) to
sticks.
declare that Mr. Dole was so unpopujar
In several chapters, Mr. Hilton de-
among his peers that he "couldn't sell beer
scribes various deeds performed by. Mr.
on a troop ship." To some, this sardonic
Dole as rewards to corporations or indi-
side of Mr. Dole's nature might cause him
viduals who made hefty campaign contri-
to lead the nation in a more divisive direc-
butions. Many of these deeds appear to be
tion.
the routine responses that most politicians
The chief question "Senator for Sale"
make to special interests that favor them-
raises is this: Would a President Dole be
they are neither illegal nor scandalous.
as weak and ineffectual as President Clin-
But the relationship between Mr. Dole
ton? Or would he resemble Richard Nixon
and Archer-Daniels-Midland. the troubled
and impale his party and the nation on the
agribusiness firm, is disturbing. Accord-
sword of a second Watergate? The other
ing to Mr. Hilton, Mr. Dole lobbied hard
possibility-that Mr. Dole may actually
for massive tax credits for ethanol, a corn-
make a good president-is left for other$ to
based alternative to gasoline chiefly pro-
consider.
duced by ADM. In addition, Mr. Hilton
charges, Mr. Dole has backed at least five
Mr. Wooster is an associate editor of The
bills strengthening sugar price supports.
American Enterprise, a bimonthly magazine
in part because ADM can make profits by
published by AEI in Washington.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1995
ENTERPRISE
World's Poorest Women Advance by Entrepreneurship
By CAROL HYMOWITZ
Shared Burden?
they feed their husbands and children
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
ENTERPRISE
Kamala Lamichhane knows nothing
first, saving little food for themselves-
about dressing for success, has never
while their working day is typically ardu-
Women's work time relative to men's (men's work time =100)
Men's
attended a business seminar and can't
ous. Many women spend several hours
Poor Women Make
Work Time
write much beyond her name. Yet the
In Urban Areas:
each day carrying water and firewood long
energetic 26-year-old from Nagarkot, Ne-
distances over steep, muddy roads.
Progress by Starting
pal, is discovering her talents as an entre-
Kenya
103
Moreover, Nepalese women still lack
preneur.
basic legal rights. They can own property
Their Own Businesses
With help from the United Nations
Nepal
105
only if they remain unmarried and their
Development Program, which encourages
father dies. Securing a conventional bank
women in developing nations to launch
Venezuela
106
loan is all but impossible.
Continued From Page B1
small businesses, Ms. Lamichhane re-
In Nepal, "women are seen as repro-
only on his brief, biannual visits home.
cently opened a restaurant in Nagarkot, a
Indonesia
109
ducers, not producers," says Carroll Long,
She was encouraged to join the busi-
mountainous tourist town an hour's drive
head of the UNDP in that country. "But
Colombia
with a little help, some have become very
ness training program last year because a
cast of Katmandu. Catering to a steady
112
score of other local women were participat-
flow of customers on a steep hillside that
talented small-business owners."
ing. Moreover, her husband had been
offers panoramic views of the Himalayas,
In Rural Areas:
Harimaya Khatri-Chetri was one of the
seriously injured in an automobile acci-
she earns about $40 to S60 a month to
first in Nagarkot to sign up for a UNDP-fi-
dent, leaving her the primary breadwin-
supplement her family's farm income.
Bangladesh
110
nanced program that teaches business
ner.
"Farming is ordinary, but now I have
skills to women in tourist areas. Over a
After long days spent nursing her hus-
something to grow," says Ms. Lamich-
Guatemala
117
two-week period, she learned how to keep
band in the hospital, Ms. Lamichhane
hane, who grins broadly as she shows off
records and do basic accounting. And she
rushed home each night to attend the
her kitchen filled with the scent of curry
Nepal
117
became confident enough to envision her-
training sessions. She used family savings
and other spices.
self as a business owner. With a small loan
and a loan from the Women Entrepreneurs
Her tale, if not typical, is becoming
more common in Nepal and other develop-
Philippines
121
from the Women Entrepreneurs Associa-
Association to open her Corner Coffee
tion of Nepal, she started a poultry-rearing
Shop, which seats about 20 customers.
ing nations, where the poorest of women
are discovering that entrepreneurship can
Kenya
135
operation.
The business has increased her work-
She nets about $20 a month from 200
load. She rises at 4 a.m. now to work in the
provide a measure of economic and per-
sonal autonomy. Big development agen-
Source United Nations Human Development Report
chickens - almost as much as her unem-
fields before opening the restaurant. And
cies and banks increasingly are funding
ployed husband gets from an army pen-
she has few people to whom she can turn
women-led small businesses and farming
million low-income women run microbu-
use the income they earn to feed their
sion. Unlike her spouse, Ms. Khatri-Chetri
for support. "Other women are sometimes
projects because they realize that women
children and send them to school," says
uses her earnings to send three of her five
jealous" of her new venture, she says.
sinesses, only about five million have
are the mainstays of local economies-and
children to school. And she hopes to save
But for the first time in her married life,
access to credit from sources other than
Catherine Gwin of the Overseas Develop-
the foot soldiers in the fight against pov-
money lenders.
ment Council.
enough money to open a grocery store that
she has won some equality with her hus-
erty.
But while the conference will highlight
In the poor, isolated country of Nepal,
will include a refrigerator, a luxury in a
band, who does much of the restaurant's
The economic status of women every-
the feminization of poverty - some 70% of
the burden of women's lives is visible
town where few homes have electricity.
cooking. She manages the money, gives
him instructions and even asks him for
where is at the top of the agenda at the
the world's 1.3 billion poor people are
everywhere. Nepal is one of just three
Her neighbor Ms. Lamichhane has
United Nations Fourth World Conference
women' - it will also celebrate women's
countries in the world, along with Bangla-
gained a new sense of personal freedom
household help.
since she launched her restaurant. Mar-
"He has no way out now," she says. "If
on Women in Beijing this week. Women
economic contribution, especially in the-
desh and Bhutan, where the average life
work longer hours than men in nearly
developing world. In rural sub-Saharan
expectancy of women - currently 54 years
ried at 14 to a man she says didn't want
I'm really hard pressed, he'll see that the
every country but much of their work
Africa, women head half the households.
in Nepal - is lower than that of men.
her, she dutifully followed her mother-in-
children are fed. He respects me now."
remains "unpaid, unrecognized and un.
In Kenya, women work an average 56
Women face especially high mortality
law's orders - tending the family farm,
dervalued," notes the U.N.'s Human De-
hours a week, compared with 42 hours for
risks during childbirth, because of limited
doing domestic chores and raising two
velopment Report. Since 1970, women's
men. And women are more likely to use
access to health facilities.
sons mostly on her own. Her husband
participation in the paid labor force has
their earnings to improve the health and
Malnutrition and lack of safe drinking
worked as a cook in Dubai, United Arab
risen by just four percentage points to
education of the next generation. "Their
water compound the problems. Some 85%
Emirates, and for six years she saw him
10%. What's more. while more than 300
work has long-term benefits because they
of Nepalese women are anemic - often,
Please Turn to Page B2, Column 6
ae Alaska regional director for the National Marine Fisheries
(Optional add end)
Service, said the halibut season has been extended by several
months under the new system, and that prices fishermen are
Millions of dollars in damage assessment settlements a
given by processors have been stable.
record $1 billion in the case of the Exxon Valdez are at
But opponents of quotas say they are unfairly allotted. They
stake in a major spill.
also say the system does not, in fact, conserve fish because, by
The philosophy behind the policies is that companies
removing the pressures of a short fishing season, fishermen can
responsible for a spill shouldn't just clean up the mess
sort through their catch and throw back smaller ones, which
and pay emergency response bills. They also are liable for
often die.
injury to wildlife and temporary loss of recreation when
beaches and marinas are shut down.
(Optional add end)
Under the new strategy, state and federal agencies acting as
trustees would team with the oil company to measure the
Some fishermen want Congress to ban quota systems, while
losses, and then seek damages to provide services or resources
others are pushing for a moratorium on quotas until existing
of "the same type and quality" as those injured.
systems can be studied.
Only if no direct replacement is available can the
National Marine Fishery Service officials all say quota
trustees try to seek a comparable solution.
systems would not work in all fisheries. Congress is expected
to vote on the Magnuson Act renewal this month.
First Lady Galvanizes U.N. Forum on Women
By Maggie Farley= (c) 1995, Los Angeles Times=
Feds Eye New Formula for Assessing
BEIJING First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton answered
Environmental Damages By Marla Cone= (c)
criticism of her trip to the U.N. Fourth World Conference on
1995, Los Angeles Times=
Women here with a rousing speech Tuesday that indirectly
A thousand or so sea birds die a slow death. Miles of
condemned China's population control policies while
popular beaches are closed to surfers and swimmers for weeks.
emphasizing the importance of family.
Tiny shimmering grunion are killed en masse as they spawn.
Appearing before 1,500 delegates from around the world
This oil-slicked wasteland was long ago cleaned up, but the
despite objections from both human rights advocates who
aftermath of the 1990 Huntington Beach, Calif., spill as well
urged a boycott because of China's coercive birth control
as the Exxon Valdez disaster in Alaska and other oil mishaps
measures, among other issues and American conservatives
from Santa Barbara, Calif., to New Jersey still resonates as
who called the U.N. meeting radical and anti-family, Mrs.
officials mold a new policy guiding how the American people
Clinton cut to the basic issue of the international gathering.
will be compensated for oil spills.
If there is one message that echoes forth from this
How should oil companies make amends for inflicting such
conference," she declared, ``let it be that human rights are
intangible pain as a missed morning of surf or the death of a
women's rights. And women's rights are human rights, once
sea otter?
and for all."
Federal officials have wrestled with formulating a fair
In her second-public address here she spoke earlier at a
compensation policy since 1990, and the latest twist comes in
forum on women's health Mrs. Clinton listed crimes against
a controversial Clinton administration proposal. The National
women that have not been considered human rights violations
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is seeking
because of persistent cultural legacies, from bride burning and
comments on its proposal at a San Francisco public meeting
genital mutilation to wartime rape and female infanticide.
Wednesday and Thursday, faces a court-ordered Dec. 31
Although the first lady did not mention China or any other
deadline to adopt a final rule.
country by name, her references to China's strictly enforced
Because of concerns voiced largely by the oil industry, the
one-child policy were clear as she again sounded themes she
administration has scrapped its original policy that put a price
had raised at the women's health forum.
tag on each animal, acre of wetland or day of recreation.
``It is a violation of human rights when women are denied
Under the earlier strategy, the government performed some
the right to plan their own families, and that includes being
unusual calculations based on public opinion polls: What is a
forced to have abortions or being sterilized against their will,"
day of swimming in the ocean or walking on the beach worth?
she said to applause.
What would people pay to save an otter or a pelican from
She did, however, name China directly in her criticism of
dying in an oil slick?
the treatment of participants in both the U.N.-sponsored
The new damage assessment formula has a far different
meeting and the gathering of 23,000 members of
thrust: Don't affix a value, just fix it.
non-governmental organizations tied to it.
For instance, if 20,000 beachgoers were turned away, the oil
"It is indefensible that many women in non-governmental
company responsible for the spill would boost access by that
organizations who wished to participate in this conference have
same number of people, perhaps by building a parking lot or
not been able to attend or have been prohibited from fully
walkway or widening a beach. If 10 sea otters died, the
taking part," she said, speaking slowly and forcefully to the
company would restore kelp or take some other step to
international audience.
increase surviving otters by 10.
Her blunt remarks surprised some observers, who expected
"This approach is so vastly different from the way we've
her to take a low-key stance in a time of precarious U.S.-China
done it before," said Linda Burlington, chief of NOAA's
relations.
damage assessment team.
"I thought she would have to take a more politically correct
Federal economists and attorneys say the public would be
position, since she is a politician," said Phuntsok Dolma, an
more equitably and expeditiously compensated. And the oil
exiled Tibetan living in Massachusetts who has been a target
industry generally prefers the new technique as a less arbitrary
of police surveillance and intimidation while at the conference.
way to pay the American people what they are due.
"But what she said was very courageous, and meant a lot to
But environmentalists and some California oil spill experts
our people."
worry that it may lower damage settlements and insufficiently
Human Rights Watch/Asia, one of the groups that had urged
reimburse the public. They also say that the policy seems so
Mrs. Clinton to stay away from Beijing, applauded her
rigid it could limit options for replacing the losses and bog
"powerful defense of human rights" but expressed reservations
down already lengthy legal battles.
about their effect.
file chene
United States Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
Rull Low
INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
S/S
UNCLASSIFIED
TO:
The Secretary
FROM:
EAP - Stanley Roth
DRL - John Shattuc
SUJBECT: China Rule of Law Initiative/Calls to House Members
As you requested at this week's review of EAP's Bureau
Performance Plan, we are providing the background and talking
points required for your telephone call to various House members
concerning FY 99 funding for President Clinton's China Rule of
Law Initiative.
Background
At the recent U.S.-China Summit, Presidents Clinton and
Jiang announced a number of specific activities under the Rule of
Law Initiative established at last October's Summit. However, in
spite of this progress, the Administration's request for FY 99
funds to launch this initiative continues to face serious
opposition on the Hill. While the Administration may be able to
organize private funding for the proposed activities, we believe
that the absence of significant USG funding will result in our
inability to fulfill both our commitment to the Chinese and the
public expectations created on the President's trip. That is why
we are now urging you to personally intervene on the Hill.
We have been seeking to fund the China Rule of Law
Initiative in FY 99 through an increase in the Asia Foundation's
line item within the Commerce-Justice-State appropriations bill.
We have chosen this path because of the Foundation's established
expertise in this area and because of the many legal obstacles
pertaining to the use of ESF monies in China. The Foundation's
FY 98 appropriation was $8 million. We have requested a $7
million increase in FY 99, $5 million of which would fund the
China Rule of Law Initiative.
Two weeks ago, neither the House nor the Senate CJS
Subcommittees included any of our requested increase in their
2
marked-up bills. (The House set TAF's appropriation at last
year's figure of $8 million, and the Senate zeroed out TAF
altogether.) Although a House-Senate conference will not take
place until September, we believe that our best hope lies in your
attempting to persuade the House Appropriations Committee to
accommodate our full request when it meets on July 15. To do so,
you would need to call Chairman Bob Livingston, CJS Subcommittee
Chairman Hal Rogers, and HIRC/Asia-Pacific Subcommittee Chairman
Doug Bereuter by Monday (July 13) at the latest.
Attachment: Talking Points
3
Talking Points on the China Rule of Law Initiative
At the recent U.S.-China Summit, Presidents Clinton and Jiang agreed to start a number of
specific activities to promote the rule of law in China. This agreement fleshed out a more
general agreement on rule-of-law cooperation that was made at the first summit last October.
This initiative represents the Administration's effort to back up our continuing human rights
diplomacy with on-the-ground assistance devoted to improving the daily lives of Chinese
citizens.
While the Chinese government is of course still authoritarian, the development of China's
legal system provides the short-term prospect that the Chinese government's laws will be
more in accordance with international standards, that the implementation of these laws will
be less arbitrary, and that individual citizens can better defend their legal rights in court. And
strengthened rule of law provides the long-term prospect that when fundamental political
reform does takes place in China, there will be an adequate legal foundation upon which
democracy can quickly evolve.
The initiative comprises six major areas:
Exchanges of Legal Experts
Training of Judges and Lawyers
Strengthening Legal Information Systems and the Exchange of Legal Materials
Legal Assistance to the Poor
Administrative Procedures
Commercial Law and Arbitration
The Chinese government's agreement to participate in this initiative is a rare opportunity that
we must seize. Increased rule of law in China would serve America's human rights and
economic interests alike.
In support of this initiative, the Administration's FY 1999 Budget request includes a $5
million increase for the Asia Foundation. This accounts for the bulk of the Foundation's
requested increase to $15 million. I am calling to ask your support for this funding.
I appreciate many of the arguments against government-to-government assistance to China.
However, I also believe that we should seek cooperation in specific areas of direct benefit to
the Chinese people. Assistance for the rule of law would be just such an area.
The Asia Foundation brings a proven track record of facilitating legal reform in China.
Moreover, the conduct of part of this Presidential initiative through the Asia Foundation will
help reassure those opposed to direct government-to-government assistance. We also expect
significant private funding-from U.S.-based foundations and the ABA for example-to be
available for the initiative.
4
File: DRL\Front Office\DWYang\China ROL to Secretary.doc
Drafted: DRL: DYang
x71180
7/9/98
Cleared: S:JO'Brien (info)
S/RPP: CJohnstone
S/P: ARomberg
for all
EAP: SShirk
H: Blarkin (info)
General Talkers Prepared by EAP/D.Keegan - revised 03/30/98 w/ Gewirtz comments
TALKING POINTS FOR HILL CONSULTATIONS
ON
CHINA RULE OF LAW INITIATIVE - FY98 AND FY99 FUNDING
[Talking points are for briefings conducted by State/DRL (PGewirtz), State/EAP (SShirk),
possibly NSC (ESchwartz) and others before the CJS, For. Ops. and authorization
committees of both houses. These points provide an overview of the Rule of Law
Initiative and emphasize the need for supporting the Administration's FY 99 funding
request of $1 million in ESF from the EAP Regional Democracy Fund and a $5 million
plus-up of The Asia Foundation. They do not go into detail about FY 98 funding (i.e. the
need for a 451 waiver) but do make reference to ongoing efforts to identify such funds
and authority.]
Summary
The China Rule of Law (ROL) Initiative grew out of the October Summit meeting
between Presidents Clinton and Jiang.
This initiative will improve basic legal institutions in China --the judiciary, the
administrative process, the legal profession, law schools, legal information systems--
in measurable ways that will provide more predictability and protections both for
economic interactions and for other civil and criminal legal activity involving
ordinary citizens.
The ROL Initiative with China will better protect economic investments, ordinary
commercial functioning, and it will promote human rights in ways that better protect
the rights and interests of ordinary people in a multitude of ways.
The initiative comes at a time when significant legal reform is moving ahead in China
and there are real targets of opportunity for cooperation between our two countries.
Background on Initiative - Presidential Summit and Follow Up with Chinese
At the Summit, the two Presidents set forth six specific areas for cooperative activity:
(1) exchanges of legal experts;
(2) judicial and lawyer training;
(3) strengthening legal information systems and the exchange of legal
materials;
(4) administrative law reform;
(5) developing legal assistance for the poor; and
(6) commercial law and arbitration.
Shortly after the Summit, the visit of China's Minister of Justice to the United States
helped the Chinese shape their vision for implementing this new Initiative.
Since the Summit, we have met with senior Chinese government officials, Chinese
legal academics and lawyers, American lawyers and business people, foundation
representatives, and representatives of other countries and multilateral institutions
interested in legal reform in China.
During these discussions it was clear that the Chinese were very eager to start
implementing a variety of projects under the Initiative.
We have also been meeting with a broad range of US government and judicial
officials (including Supreme Court Justices Breyer and Kennedy, who have an active
interest in China and in this initiative); with law school deans and legal academics;
with lawyers and the leadership of the American Bar Association; with
representatives of foundations and a wide variety of NGOs, including the Lawyers
Committee for International Human Rights, the International Human Rights Law
Group and the International Republican Institute; and with business groups.
There is great enthusiasm among both government and non-government
entities to get involved.
For example, the President of the American Bar Association has committed to
launching a major rule of law project in China analogous to the ABA's
extraordinary work in Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union, and an
exploratory group from the ABA will be going to China shortly.
It is hoped that funding for these activities will be available from both government
and non-government sources. But at least in the early stages of the Initiative, the
USG will need to play a leading role.
Justification of Initiative - Benefit for U.S. Interests and Chinese Democratic
Development
The initiative will improve basic legal institutions in China --the judiciary, the
administrative process, the legal profession, law schools, legal information systems--
in measurable ways that will provide more predictability and protections both for
economic interactions and for other civil and criminal legal activity involving
ordinary citizens.
Important precedents in the rule of law field in China have laid the groundwork for
this Initiative, and give us confidence that a commitment of U.S. resources will make
a difference on the ground.
2
The Ford Foundation, The Asia Foundation, and the International Republican
Institute have been pioneers in developing legal reform projects in China.
legal reform projects organized by Canada, the World Bank, and the EU,
among others, have had a significant positive impact in China.
President Clinton has singled the Initiative out as one of the main accomplishments of
the October Summit. This interest can serve to open new, additional areas for
cooperation - if we move quickly and back it with resources.
Significant progress has occurred in China's legal system over the last 20 years.
Since 1979, hundreds of new laws have been passed, the population of
lawyers has grown from around 2,000 to nearly 100,000, and the number of
law schools has mushroomed from 2 to over 100.
In 1996, China amended its criminal procedure laws to provide significantly
enhanced protections for criminal defendants.
It has launched a program to provide legal aid to the poor and it continues
rapid development of the commercial law area.
Increase in litigation in China, not just in commercial law areas, but in cases
that where citizens are using the law to hold government officials accountable.
President Jiang Zemin's report to the 15th Party Congress in September gave
distinctive attention to further improving China's legal system.
Taking all these events together, we feel that this an opportune time to work
with the Chinese to reform and help them build a modern legal system.
The ROL Initiative with China will further a broad range of American interests and
values.
For example, rule of law activities will better protect economic investments
and contribute to ordinary commercial functioning.
Rule of law activities also promote human rights and will better protect the
rights and interests of ordinary people in a multitude of ways.
I must emphasize, however, that the ROL initiative is NOT a replacement for
our continuing human rights policy towards China. We will continue to
pursue vigorously our human rights objectives in China through existing
diplomatic and policy tools.
That said, we feel that the ROL initiative can make a significant contribution
to the improvement of Chinese legal institutions in a way that, over time, is
likely to have a significant impact in improving the protections enjoyed by all
Chinese citizens.
3
By framing the initiative in terms of legal system reform, we have been able to elicit a
remarkable degree of Chinese receptivity-and by no means limited to commercial
law.
FY 99 Funding Needs and Program Management
In order to fulfill this far-reaching agenda and to successfully implement Presidents
Clinton and Jiang's agreement, we will need funds for Fiscal Year 1999
We
have
$1 million in ESF out of the EAP Regional Democracy Fund, and
$5 million from The Asia Foundation's $15 million FY 99 budget request.
given
this
The Asia Foundation will provide significant specific benefits:
No
lorger
we
ensures the ROL Initiative builds on and complements previous work.
because of its early groundwork (including a person on the ground in Beijing
to administer their programs), and its contacts, ensures the projects under the
Schulunds ESF
Initiative will "hit the ground running" and maintain momentum from the
Presidential Summit.
Promote our goal of having NGOs manage and run as many of these projects
as possible.
Since 1979, The Asia Foundation has given priority to the development of the rule of
law in China. Through its programs, the Foundation has provided key support for
legal and judicial reform, assisted initiatives to develop substantive law, including
human rights, promoted exchanges for legal professionals and law faculty, provided
legal materials, and helped to develop the capacity of a number of legal institutions.
With its network of contacts and vast experience in China, the Foundation is
uniquely positioned to advance programs under the rule of law initiative, both
through its current programs and in the future under this important initiative.
While we plan and expect a large part of the ROL Initiative to be carried out by the
NGO community, it is important, particularly in the early stages, for there to be direct
USG support for a portion of the activities under the Initiative. This not only insures
that the Presidential Initiative receives government direction, but also provides the
valuable symbol of governmental interest to open doors for the NGO sector.
First, the ESF money would be used to fund both U.S. government and non-
governmental participation in the programs.
For example, these funds could be passed by USAID to the Federal Judicial
Center to cover the costs of judicial training programs or to the SEC to cover
assistance on securities regulation.
We are proposing to use the EAP Regional Democracy Fund in response to
Congressional language in last year's appropriations conference report.
For FY 99 we would hope to receive a positive authorization from Congress to
pursue the implementation of the Presidents' ROL Initiative for China.
4
We would like to begin some of the projects under the Initiative this fiscal year. We
are presently working to identify resources and the necessary authority to do so.
As we move forward on funding specifics for this year, we will consult with
this and other interested committees of the Congress.
Tentative Initiative Projects
Exchange of Legal Experts
1) Cooperative program between China's recently established Commission on
the Future of Legal Education and American law deans and professors
involved with issues concerning the future of legal education.
2) Expanding existing exchanges of legal scholars and law students analogous to
the CLEEC program that the Ford Foundation once funded for a number of
years.
Judicial and Lawyer Training
1) Training projects with the recently established National Judicial College
administered by the Supreme People's Court in Beijing and the about-to-be-
established Training Institute at the High Court in Shanghai. This training
will focus on issues of due process, criminal procedure, civil procedure,
judicial ethics, economic rights litigation, and judicial opinion-writing.
2) Pilot projects on continuing legal education for lawyers. The ABA is
interested in assisting with this effort.
Strengthening Legal Information Systems and the Exchange of Legal Materials
1) Feasibility study on establishing a comprehensive electronic legal database of
Chinese law. in conjunction with the World Bank.
2) Translation of important American law books.
Administrative Law Reform
1) Conference on administrative law reform in China with key Chinese
decisionmakers and scholars
2) Multi-stage project of drafting assistance, training and exchanges related to
improvement of administrative law and administrative procedure in China.
Legal Assistance to the Poor
1) Conference on alternative models of delivering legal services for the poor
involving Chinese decisionmakers and legal aid policy and Chinese legal aid
lawyers. This conference is tentatively scheduled for later in the year in
Beijing.
5
2) Program of 6-month exchanges of American and Chinese legal aid lawyers
including training of Chinese legal aid lawyers.
Commercial Law and Arbitration
1) Conference on judicial enforcement of arbitration awards.
2) Multi-stage project involving drafting assistance, training and exchanges in
the fields of securities and capital markets regulation.
Responses to Specific Questions
1. Why would you use USG resources in FY 98 and then switch the bulk of the program
to TAF for FY 99 - where is the continuity in this?
We would expect there to be an initial period where U.S. government activism
and resources are necessary to get this initiative going. Once that has
happened it is our hope that the non-governmental sector can pick up much of
the implementation (and funding) of the initiative. Shifting more USG
funding to The Asia Foundation in FY 1999 is consistent with this.
Furthermore, there will in fact be close coordination of FY 98 and FY 99
expenditures. The Asia Foundation and the State Department have agreed that
if the Asia Foundation receives its proposed FY 1999 allocation, it will work
very closely with the State Department to assure that USG priorities are
advanced and that projects launched in FY 1998 will be carried forward when
appropriate.
2. What are the other potential uses of these FY 98 funds? Other than the Burma
earmark, what potential programs will have to compete with the China ROL
Initiative?
we will meet the $5 million Burma earmark with a combination of
Development Assistance from USAID and ESF funds administered by DRL,
which has administered the FY 97 earmark.
(If asked) AID has agreed to provide $1.7 million in DA for Burma
and the remainder would come out of the EAP Regional Democracy
Fund.
After the Burma earmark we are exploring a variety of uses for the remaining
funds in the EAP Regional Democracy fund in addition to the China ROL
Initiative. While no final decisions have been made on any of these,
prospective programs include:
1) Continued funding for the Yale Cambodia Genocide project
2) Potential funding for Indonesia and Thailand in response to the
financial crisis
6
3) Project focused on trafficking in women and children
4) A labor program focused on child labor
4. How can we be sure that this assistance won't just go to strengthen the "thugocracy"
that controls China and these legal institutions?
We believe that, over time, the ROL Initiative will have a positive effect on
China. We feel that an improved legal system will provide more protections
for the Chinese people.
As WE noted before, the U.S. human rights community agrees with this view
and is supportive of the Initiative.
Most of the USG funds will go directly to U.S. entities, governmental and
non-governmental, who will manage and run projects both in the U.S. and
China.
However, even though a considerable portion of the money will be focused on
entities in China such as law schools, law students, and legal clinics, we
acknowledge that ROL Initiative projects will generally be focused on
Chinese government institutions, particularly projects like those involving
judicial training-the effort here, after all, is designed to improve China's
legal system, which necessarily involves the Chinese government.
5. What authority will you use to spend the $1 million in FY 99 ESF that you are
requesting? Will you be looking to use some sort of waiver?
For FY 99 we would hope to receive a positive authorization from Congress to
pursue the implementation of the Presidents' ROL Initiative for China.
(For example, we feel that the following language would provide us with the
necessary authority:
"The Secretary of State shall use funds available in the East Asia-Pacific
Regional Democracy Fund to provide grants and transfers to promote the
development of the rule of law in China, notwithstanding any other
provision of law."
6. Isn't this program just like the Civil Society Program which the Congress rejected last
year?
This program we are proposing is substantially different from the "Civil
Society" Program which we had earlier considered for China. This program is
not directed toward developing non-governmental organizations. Rather, it is
designed to strengthen the capabilities of China's legal system in ways which
serve both China's interests and our own.
In addition, the fact that Chinese President Jiang has now "blessed"
cooperation with the U.S. entities on legal issues means that there are many
new opportunities to make a difference on the ground in China.
7
Drafted: S/P/DRL - Paul Gewirtz; DRL/P - David Bernstein; EAP/RSP - D.Keegan
H:/Bernstein/China ROL General Hill Talkers(EAP) 3/17/98
Cleared:
EAP/CM - J.Moon
EAP/RSP - P.Slutz
EAP/RSP - D.Keegan
DRL - D.Yang
H - D.Killion
H - M.Donovan
L - P.Clayman
S/RPP - E.Lief (info)
P - D.Shear (info)
8
Withdrawal/Redaction Marker
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
001. report
Legal Restrictions Applicable to Rule of Law Programs in China -
11/04/1997
P1/b(1)
Options (4 pages)
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
First Lady's Office
Melanne Verveer
OA/Box Number: 20027
FOLDER TITLE:
China (More)
2013-0534-S
ry1657
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
b(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
b(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
of gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
2201(3).
concerning wells [(b)(9) of the FOIA]
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
United States Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
December 19, 1997
MEMORANDUM
TO:
DRL - John Shattuck
DRL & S/P - Paul Gewirtz
FROM:
DRL - David Yang Dy
SUBJECT:
Outstanding Issues regarding the China Rule of Law Program
As you requested, I have researched two outstanding issues regarding the China rule of
law program: (1) the Asia Foundation option and (2) other claimants to the EAP regional
democracy fund. I also discuss a third issue regarding the future of the original civil society
program.
1. The Asia Foundation (TAF)
Question: Would DRL have to compete the "replenishment" grant to the Asia Foundation?
There is no clear answer to this question, because the Office of the Procurement
Executive's regulations governing non-competitive grants are very vague. After having read the
regulations and discussed them with L and A, I am less certain of my original position that the
grant would have to be competed. On the one hand, one of the stated criteria for not holding a
competition is that the recipient would be uniquely capable of providing the services. In the case
of TAF's bread-and-butter democracy programming in Asia (say, legislative strengthening in
Mongolia), we could not easily argue that TAF is a unique provider. On the other hand, another
of the criteria is interpreted by L and A to mean that we would not have to run a competition if it
meant endangering an NGO's proprietary interests. That is, if TAF submitted what we believed
to be a highly original proposal, we would not have to compete the grant despite the fact that
another NGO might possibly conduct a generically similar program. The bottom line, however,
is that the Inspector General's office as well as the NGO community will be monitoring our
grants-making closely. Therefore, given DRL's being still new to the world of democracy
programming, I would recommend that we be very cautious and accordingly feel obligated to
running an open competition, which would void the TAF option for FY 98.
2
Question: How can we use the TAF option in FY 99 and beyond?
In FY 99 and beyond, if TAF receives a larger line-item in the USG international affairs
account (e.g., $15 million in FY 99), it will be willing to sign a memorandum of understanding
with the State Department saying that it would use $x million for rule of law activities in China.
Moreover, the memorandum could lay out general guidelines for the provision of this assistance.
(This answer is based on a phone conversation that I had with Bill Fuller on Wednesday.) In
essence, assuming a larger line-item, the TAF option in the out years would provide us with icing
on the $10 million ESF cake that we are now planning.
2. EAP Regional Democracy Fund
Question: What existing or prospective programs might be endangered if we used all of the
remaining $3.75 million in the FY 98 EAP Regional Democracy Fund for China?
These are the major claimants to the remaining $3.75 million:
A regional program for women's political participation (FY 97: $1 million);
a commercial rule of law program in Vietnam (FY 97: $0.5 million);
Yale's Cambodia Genocide Program (FY 97: $1 million); and
a regional labor program by the AFL-CIO's Solidarity Center (Prospective: $1
million).
All of these are worthy programs. Of course, they need not be funded at the FY 97 levels. And
Yale University has not yet asked for additional funds. Therefore, we might safely assume that
we could adequately albeit stringently accommodate these programs with a total of $2 million,
leaving $1.75 million for China from this fund.
Question: Would USAID assume any of the $5 million burden of the Burma earmark, thus
freeing up more money for China?
Probably not. The report language appended to the FY 98 Appropriations Bill states that
the Burma earmark can be made up of either ESF or DA funds. Today I proposed to USAID that
DRL spend $3 million of ESF and USAID spend $2 million of DA. The initial response of
USAID's Asia/Near Bureau was that they unfortunately did not have any spare DA for this
purpose. But this option might bear further exploration. For example, we might argue to Brian
Atwood's office the following: "We're all in the same boat. We want to do serious democracy
programming in both China and Burma. Therefore, let's share the funding burden. The State
Department is coming up with the money for China. Why don't you help us with Burma?
Because if you don't, our China program will be smaller." If John made this argument to Brian,
it might fly. It's worth a try.
3
3. Civil Society
What should we do with our original civil society program for China?
Many of those in DRL and USAID who worked hard developing the China civil society
program do not want to see it become a victim to the Summit's focus on the rule of law program.
There are three options. The first is to put the civil society program aside for now and proceed
first with the rule of law program. The second is to proceed with both together, assuming that a
Section 451 waiver could be stretched to fit both programs. The third, contrarily assuming that a
Section 451 waiver is not so elastic, is to house major elements of the civil society program
within the new rule of law program.
Without having yet consulted with L, my non-expert opinion is that a Section 451 waiver
could be applied only to the new rule of law program. Therefore, in my view, the third option is
preferable. Conceptually and practically, we could easily integrate a civil society component to
the currently-envisioned rule of law program. On the one hand, we would be assisting the
government to develop its legal system; while, on the other hand, we would be assisting NGOs
both to lobby for legal reform (within the limits of Chinese politics) and to actually test the
government's expanding legal capacity. For an excellent example of a USG rule of law program
that deftly combines the so-called "demand" and "supply" sides of legal reform, I commend you
to the current program in Indonesia.
In my view, the first option-dropping altogether the civil society program for now-
would not be desirable, if only because the Hill will want to see the Administration carry out a
balanced (government/NGO) rule of law program. We may face insurmountable opposition if
our program consists solely of technical assistance to the Chinese government.
cc: EAP - Susan Shirk
S/RPP - Eric Lief
H - David Killion
DRL - Clark, Bernstein, Schwering & O'Sullivan
4
File: DRL\Front Office\DWYang\china program miscellany.doc
The Ford Foundation's Program in Law, Rights and Governance in China
Phyllis L. Chang, April 1997
The Foundation's Law, Rights and Governance Program in China (the "Law
Program") incorporates grantmaking in two major areas that have distinct programming
contexts and goals, yet clearly overlap: legal reform and governance. To date, most of the
Law Program's grants have concentrated on development of China's legal system; however,
during the past several years, a growing percentage of the Program's budget has been devoted
to Chinese efforts to explore new means of governing a radically transformed society. While
governance programming originated in the Law Program and most governance grants
continue to be made out of the Law Program, other Beijing Office programs have also begun
to support governance projects.
During the 1998-99 biennium, the Law Program will continue programming that
addresses two of China's most pressing challenges for the 21st century: 1) establishing the
rule of law; and 2) developing new means of governing an increasingly complex,
differentiated society. The Foundation is currently the most active foreign donor in both of
these fields and the Law Program Officer chairs the Law and Governance Donors Forum,
which meets semi-annually to exchange ideas and information on law and governance
projects. Over the next biennium, the Law Program will deepen work that is underway rather
than launching major new program directions.
Law and Rights
The fundamental aim of the Foundation's law and rights programming in China is to
promote the emergence of the rule of law. In the 18 years since Deng Xiaoping initiated the
current era of "reform and opening up" in 1978, China has established an impressive new
framework of laws, revived legal education and rebuilt its courts, procuracies and other legal
institutions. China's next task must be to transform these formal laws and structures into the
rule of law. The rule of law is critical to continued growth of China's socialist market
economy, social stability, greater government accountability, and the curbing of corruption,
probably the most serious problem faced by the Chinese Communist Party. The development
of the rule of law is also mandated by Chinese citizens' budding sense of rights and belief
that their legal system should effect justice and uphold laws impartially.
Since late 1994, the Foundation's law and rights programming in China has centered
on two initiatives: 1) strengthening of the Chinese judiciary and judicial reform; and 2)
"law-in-action" projects emphasizing the development of legal consciousness among the
citizenry and practical efforts to use the legal system to protect individual rights. These
initiatives address two of the greatest obstacles impeding the emergence of the rule of law: 1)
the weakness of the judicial system; and 2) the gap between law on the books and actual
practice.
2
Judicial Reform Initiative
No society can realize the rule of law unless it has a competent, professional and
respected judiciary whose judges reach decisions solely on the basis of the law. Yet the
judiciary remains the weakest and least developed link of the Chinese legal system; despite
significant improvement since 1978, it is widely regarded (by Chinese as well as foreigners)
as unreliable, subject to manipulation by powerful interests and highly unprofessional.
The objective of the Law Program's judicial initiative is to catalyze consideration of
changes that would make the Chinese judiciary a stronger, more professional institution. The
initiative is built on four elements, each of which is critical to change: 1) exploration of ideas
for reform and experimentation with such reforms in courts; 2) training of judges that
emphasizes critical thinking and skills-building; 3) the emergence of judges as a professional
class; and 4) research to understand better how Chinese courts and their judges actually
function.
The following is a list of major projects and grantees currently supported under the
judicial reform initiative:
experiments in new types of judges' training programs
--South Central University of Political Science and Law in collaboration with
the High Court of Hubei Province-China's first training program for basic-
level judges, targeted at judges of Hubei Province
--Senior Judges Training Center of the Supreme People's Court, in
collaboration with the Law School of Peking University-training of
administrative law judges, training of minority judges, training of newly-
appointed judges
development of innovative, reform-oriented training materials for judges
--Center for Judicial Studies of Law School of Peking University
--Law School of People's University
--Department of Adult Education, China University of Political Science and
Law
strengthening of judges' associations
--Shanghai Judges Association-trial procedure reform in Shanghai court
system, seminars with foreign judges on judicial systems and processes,
judicial administration
3
--China Women Judges Association-development of network of women
judges and courts to work on women's rights protection; development of
judicial measures to improve implementation of rights granted under law
trial procedure reform
--High Court of Shandong Province, in collaboration with China University of
Political Science and Law-reform of how civil trials are conducted in
Shandong Province courts and development of materials to teach new
approaches
--Shanghai Judges Association-comparative study of selected foreign models
of trial procedure and judicial administration
--Senior Judges Training Center of the Supreme People's Court-analysis of
trial procedure reforms introduced by various Chinese courts, seminars with
US, Korean and German judges, and US-German-Chinese demonstration
trial project
research and writing on judicial reform and study of foreign judicial systems and
procedural law
--Center for Judicial Studies of the Law Dept. of Peking University-
translation series on foreign judicial systems and processes, seminars on
judicial issues; topical reports for judges
--New York University, School of Law-"Distinguished Lecturers Series"
under which a series of eminent US and German jurists will lecture in China
on judicial systems and processes
Law-in-Action Initiative
Since 1978, China has promulgated a huge amount of laws and regulations, in many
cases establishing entire new frameworks for state and private behavior. It has also re-
established and built up a full array of legal institutions. But the rights of citizens under those
laws-as well as their obligations-remain often merely paper rights and obligations, with
little impact on daily lives. On the one hand, the state's enforcement of law-whether tax
obligations or environmental regulations-is often lax. On the other hand, when individuals
seek to assert their legal rights, legal organs and other authorities frequently do not give the
assistance sought, or allow other factors to influence their decisions.
4
The law-in-action initiative begins from the premise that the transformation of formal,
state-bestowed rights into concrete benefits that enhance the dignity, equality and well-being
of citizens will occur only if citizens take their rights seriously, and actively use the legal
system to realize those rights. Thus, the initiative attempts to build legal consciousness. It
also seeks to give Chinese lawyers, students and ordinary citizens practical experience in
using their laws and legal processes to protect individual rights as well as to further social
justice. Finally, it seeks to demonstrate that though law is presently only a very weak force in
Chinese society, it can make a difference.
The law-in-action initiative combines this imperative to strengthen the
implementation of law with the Foundation's commitment to assist vulnerable sectors of
society. To deepen the impact of Foundation funding, law-in-action projects are concentrated
on two fields: women's rights and legal aid (both civil legal services as well as criminal
defense).
The following is a list of major projects and grantees currently supported under the
law-in-action initiative:
Women's Rights
--Qianxi County Women's Legal Services Center-China's first rural legal
services organization for women
--Women's Legal Services and Law Center of Peking University-provides
legal counseling and representation and also conducts policy-oriented
research into women's issues
--Maple Women's Counseling Center and Women's Hotline-primarily funded by
the Foundation's Human Development and Reproductive Health Program,
the Center is a recognized leader in counseling for women in needbas
recently added legal hotline and limited legal counseling
Legal Services/Public Interest Law
In addition to women's rights organizations, the Foundation is supporting a
number of other groups/organizations that are pioneering the provision of legal
services to certain sectors of Chinese society:
--Center for the Protection of the Rights of the Socially Vulnerable-China's
first non-governmental legal services/public interest law organization. Work
embraces legal assistance for women, the handicapped and children, as well
as environmental protection and administrative litigation (suits brought by
citizens against the government)
5
--Center for Criminal Law and Criminal Justice at the China University of
Political Science and Law (the "Criminal Justice Center")-newly-
established non-governmental center founded by some of China's leading
criminal procedure law professors that specializes in criminal justice system
reform; just beginning pilot project to establish a criminal defense clinic.
Foundation support is also enabling the Criminal Justice Center to
collaborate with an international partner, the Center for Criminal
International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and-Criminal Justice Policy at
the University of British Columbia.
--China Center for Legal Aid of the Ministry of Justice/Criminal Justice
Center-support for the newly-established China Center for Legal Aid, an
organ of the central government responsible for guiding the development of
legal aid in China, to study approaches to legal services outside of China, to
train young Chinese legal aid lawyers and to publish materials on legal aid.
[6/97: PROJECT ON HOLD DUE TO COMPLICATIONS ON CHINESE
SIDE]
Governance
The fundamental aim of the Law Program's governance work is to help Chinese
citizens and the state develop new methods of governing that serve the needs and demands of
a profoundly changed society. Governance grantmaking is guided by three specific goals: 1)
to introduce a wide range of thinking about governance to Chinese officials, scholars and
citizens; 2) to give Chinese practical experience in new governance approaches and the
opportunity to re-evaluate traditional post-1949 communist approaches; and 3) to assist China
develop effective rural governance systems that can serve the changing needs and desires of
Chinese farmers.
To date, the bulk of programming has concerned governance in the countryside, in
which the need for new approaches are most acute due to sweeping economic reforms that
have led to the dismantling of communes and the privatization of agricultural production, an
explosion in private industrial enterprises, the exodus of male labor from villages, and
accompanying social changes. In particular, the Program has been supporting projects to
develop a system of self-governance in Chinese villages based on democratic, local elections,
and research on the role and functioning of the elected bodies.
Other governance programming, which is best described as experimental, includes
work to make government officials more accountable through the development of
administrative law and practices such as public hearings, and to study legislative systems at
various levels of government.
MAY-27-98 05:25 PM
P. 02
V
FINCA® INTERNATIONAL, INC.
1101 14th Street, NW
11th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 682-1510
Fax (202) 682-1535
Date:
26 May 1998
From:
Lawrence Yanovitor H FINCA
To:
Katy Button, Office of the First Lady
Subject:
Status Report on Microfinance in China
Since our telephone conversation this morning, I have conferred with Michael
Goldberg, a colleague at The Consultative Group to Assist the Poorest (CGAP)
in the World Bank, about Mrs. Clinton's upcoming trip to China. What follows is
their general reading of the situation for microfinance in China as well as some
points Mrs. Clinton may wish to raise in her speech.
It is highly opportune for Mrs. Clinton to highlight microfinance issues during her
trip to China.
The Government of China is embarking on a nationwide heavily subsidized,
heavily targeted approach to microfinance that threatens the nascent
development of the microfinance industry. This is an approach typical of
government managed development finance institutions around the world. The
difference between microfinance and traditional development finance is that the
former places an emphasis on client demand driven financial products priced at
full cost. The latter is often driven by a government agenda where the clientele
are "targeted" and told what activities they should invest in. Also, such
government efforts often subsidize program costs in a way that does not assure
sustainability. These approaches are highly subject to political pressure.
The Government of China's policy is being driven by the Leading Group on
Poverty Reduction (LGPR), a government agency, and the Agricultural
Development Bank of China (ADB). The LGPR provides general services to
large numbers of the poor in China. Since 1993, they have been tasked,
however, with the impossible goal of eradicating poverty in China by the Year
2000.
Poverty is overwhelmingly a rural phenomenon, yet there are also ethnic biases
at the root. The Government of China estimates that there are around 60 million
poor. (These figures are very sensitive. Two years ago, the World Bank used a
"dollar a day purchasing power parity approach." It estimated the number of poor
in China to be over 200 million. The Chinese government is still talking about the
Bank's conclusion with anger two years later).
MAY-27-98 05:26 PM
P.03
In the face of such daunting poverty. the Government of China views
microfinance as a potential tool for reducing the numbers of poor. They are
reluctant for ideological reasons to institute, however, international best practices
in microfinance. The international donor community and nascent NGO
community in China are experimenting with microfinance, but are still very much
in the action research mode, not reaching large scale. Some NGOs, particularly
imitators of the Grameen Bank, are not always using best practices for assuring
good repayment. The more formal financial institutions in China are not
interested in microfinance, with one notable exception: the Rural Credit
Cooperative (RCC). It is restructuring, but is currently housed inside the People's
Bank of China, China's central bank. RCC has a visionary leader who wants to
learn more about microfinance and develop a system to become sustainable and
more poverty oriented.
CGAP is planning to work with them in August. RCC is CGAP's best potential
counterpart institution for leveraging - they have more than 50,000 branches and
village posts. By August, they have guaranteed that they will get an interest rate
waiver to do a small microfinance experiment with CGAP -- which could lead to a
CGAP investment proposal by year's end.
Key messages that Mrs. Clinton could convey to advance the microfinance
industry as a whole might include:
1. Subsidized interest rates do not allow financial institutions to cover all costs of
reaching the rural productive poor with financial services. By subsidizing the
interest rate, financial institutions are in the position of depending on the
government and donors for funding, and they are unable to reach a large number
of viable clients. Any subsidized approach used should have the seeds of long
term financial sustainability built into it.
2. Microcredit should not be used as a panacea. Some of the poor who are
destitute may not be ready to begin businesses and should have access to
quality social services.
3. The development of rural infrastructure is vital to the growth of the businesses
of the poor. Without adequate roads in rural areas, markets cannot prosper and
the poor cannot have ready access to services such as microfinance.
4. Any microfinance effort in China should take into account the very specific
challenges the country faces. The successes from abroad cannot be directly
imported. This is an obvious point, but the Chinese are very sensitive to being
told that they must learn about microfinance from experiences in Bangladesh,
Bolivia and Indonesia. They believe that their cultural and political situation is
very unique, and that in the end only they can decide what should be
implemented and determine what is likely to be effective.
Please let me know if there is any other information I can help locate for you.
Warm Wishes.
2
Special Envoy of
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
June 9, 1998
Mrs. Hillary Clinton
Office of the First Lady
The White House
Washington, DC 20001
Dear Mrs. Clinton:
I would like to express my appreciation to you for your continued interest in the
issue of Tibet. I have been informed by several people that during Jiang Zemin's
recent visit to Washington you raised the issue strongly and that your comments
made an impression on the Chinese leadership.
It is my belief that the President's upcoming visit to China presents a unique
opportunity to foster real progress on the issue of Tibet. Accordingly, His
Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed public support for his visit when he was here
last month, highlighting the fact that it is only through responsible engagement
that the Chinese government can understand the depth of understanding and
concern for Tibet held by the United States government and the American people.
I would greatly value the opportunity to meet with you privately prior to your
trip so that I can share with you recent developments in Tibet. As we have
discussed, it is my pleasure to keep you informed on the latest developments in
Tibet. In addition, because of your expressed interest in Tibet the Chinese may
reach out to you on the issue during your visit. I have asked my office to contact
your staff to find a time when I might be able to brief you.
The commitment held by you and the President to universal human rights and the
rule of law has been a source of great encouragement to the Tibetan people. I
thank you for your personal interest in Tibet and hope to be able to meet with
you in the next several weeks.
Sincerely,
" Mcconne
Mi Lodi Gyari
ABAP
Special Envoy of
His Holiness the Dalai Lama
1825 K Street, N.W. Suite 520 Washington, D.C. 20
MON 16:59 FAX 2026475337
PIACW
002
MAY. -11'98 (MON) 15:36 DRL
TEL: 2026479519
P.002
To:
Theresa Loar
From:
Susan O'Sullivan O'
Re:
First Lady's Trip to Beijing
There are two well-regarded centers working on
"women's issues" that I have heard of. One, the Nomen's
Law Center, is in Beijing at Beijing University (Beída).
It Is supported by the Ford Foundation. According to
Jonathan Hecht, it is pretty independent and is considered
a "non-governmental" legal aid center. Hecht strongly
recommended that the head of the center Beida graduate Guo
Jianmei be included somehow in the First Lady's visit even
if the Center is not one of the FL's stops. A second
center is located approximately 200 km. east of Beijing
near Tianjin. It is supported by the local women's
federation. It was originally started in 1993 as a
research project but, in 1995, became a legal aid center.
As of 1997, it was providing legal advice to women,
litigating cases, educating women on their legal rights.
Typical cases involved domestic disputes, disputes over
property, inheritance, and employment rights, violence
against women. The All China Women's Federation also has a
law section but I have no information about it.
Ford apparently funds some women's health projects and
I was told that Joan Kaufman was the person to contact for
more information. My notes are not clear about whether she
is with Ford in New York or Beijing.
Contacts:
Tony Saitch - Ford Foundation (Beijing) tel.# 86-10-6532-
6668; fax 86-10 6532-5495
Phyllis Chang - (Beijing) Ford Foundation
Christine Gilmartin - Northeastern University (women's
issues)
Anne Thurston - consultant and China specialist (orphanages
and women's issues) 202-462-1741
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
REMARKS OF THE FIRST LADY
BRIEFING AND RECEPTION FOR FOUNDATION REPRESENTATIVES
ON PREPARING FOR THE
U.N. 4TH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN
MARCH 13, 1995
Q: Ladies and gentlemen, the First Lady of the United
States, accompanied by Mrs. Marjorie Margolies Mezvinsky.
MRS. CLINTON: Good afternoon. Thank you so much for
joining us here this afternoon. We are delighted by the turnout.
We had actually decided we were going to meet in a smaller room
and then we had to move to a larger room because so many of you
were able to come. And I am so glad that you are here because we
want to talk to you about our plans for the United States'
participation in the upcoming UN Fourth World Conference on Women
in Beijing and our hopes to include women across America in
discussion of the issues. And also we want to make sure that the
United Sates plays a leadership role, as it appropriately should,
both in the preparation for this summit and for the summit
itself.
We see the Women's Conference as really part of a continuum.
It is linked to other conferences and certainly other activities
both in the private sector, as well as the public, that have
tried to move forward an agenda for women's advancement. It
builds on conferences such as the UN Conference on Social
Development where we were last week in Copenhagen. And I was
pleased that the United States was able to announce a new USAID
grant to promote girls education in Latin America, Africa, and
Asia.
And I want to thank Tim Wirth and the delegation that served
in Copenhagen -- I see Madeline Kunin who was there as well --
because they really did represent our hopes that aid would not
only be continued and that the United States would continue to do
its part, but that the roles of NGO's would be enhanced and that
the kind of work that many of you have done over the decades
would be given more attention and support to ensure that
development, and particularly development for women, was
advanced.
I want to thank those of you in the Foundation community for
your commitment to programs of importance to women. I have been
a longtime member of organizations that received funds from
foundations. I've served on foundation boards and I know first
hand the important role that many of you have played on your own
and in partnership with governments around the world.
This is an important year for all women because of the
International Women's conference, but especially important for
American women. Seventy-five years ago we won the right to vote.
Something that I hope will be adequately celebrated this year so
women and girls today will better understand the achievement that
others secured for them. Fifty years ago the Women's Bureau at
the Department of Labor was established and we are looking
forward to marking that celebration with programs this year that
particularly highlight the needs of working women. And I hope
that we will be able to continue to make sure that a lot of the
gains that women have been able to mark in the United States will
be preserved. With all of this in mind, both in terms of our
world role and our domestic one, we want the Women's conference,
from Sept. 4th to the 15th, to be a vehicle that really does help
us to promote and advance a progressive agenda on behalf of
women.
The issues to be addressed in Beijing are issues that women
live with, talk about, worry over; and that they should be more
active participants in helping their societies and their families
address. I had the occasion just a few weeks ago to be visiting
with some journalists and I was talking to them about my upcoming
trip to India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and
they asked me what I was going to be doing. And I said I was
particularly interested in visiting programs for women and
particularly ones in which women themselves played leadership
roles. And I went on to talk about some of the development
programs I was going to be seeing, including some of the credit
programs that many of you are familiar with and have helped to
fund -- whether it's SEWA in India or the Grameen Bank and its
offshoots in Bangladesh. And I went on to say that many people
around the world have discovered that extending credit to very
poor women is a very good investment. And you know once again
their eyes rolled and they said, "There she goes again," and I
said, "No it's true, the facts speak for themselves." Women
invest in themselves and their families and in the future. And
that is something that at least the group to which I was speaking
had no knowledge. They had never been exposed to the development
work that many of you have suppported, that our government has
helped to assist -- did not know even that this President has
promoted the concept of community development banks here at home
that we hope will have the same impact.
So there is a synergy here -- to use a much used term --
that I hope we can bring home some of the development work as a
way of demonstrating to Americans and the broader American public
what can be accomplished. Because we've made a lot of progress
in seeing that different approaches toward assisting women, and
particularly women in poverty, can work if they are given the
kinds of resources they need.
Much of the debate about welfare reform in our country would
be better informed if people knew more about what we were already
doing in this country and what we were doing abroad. So I think
that there is a great public education opportunity here that
should be advanced.
Our overall priority at the Women's Conference and at the
global preparatory meeting in New York which starts later this
week, is to build on the commitments made at previous important
UN conferences such as Nairobi and Rio and Cairo and now
Copenhagen to guard against any backsliding, which is always a
possibility, and to try to advance the agenda. On the most
urgent goals for the United States we have to be sure that the
conference reaffirms human rights for women. We will focus on
two interrelated objectives -- preventing violence against women
and legal. literacy programs. We will also work toward a life
cycle approach to health and education and focus on health
concerns specific to women. This includes, of course,
reproductive health, but we want the agenda to be broader than
that. We want the agenda to start looking at the other health
challenges women face, both as women and as mothers. Because we
think that there are some very important health care issues that
we need to address. Issues pertaining to cancer and its
prevalence in certain populations and other illnesses
predominately affecting women.
We also want to drive home the point that the most
transforming investment we can make is in universal primary and
secondary education, especially for girls. I remember in the
work I did in education in Arkansas, and that I was privileged to
work with many of you and the groups that you funded around the
country, over and over again we came back down to noticing that
one of the most important criterion to the academic achievements
a child would make is the level of education the child's mother
had received -- not the father -- but the mother. And I think
that we have to continue to stress access to education
opportunities.
As we talk to American women about this conference, we want
to be listening as well. We had a remarkable report that was
issued in 1994 called "Working Women Count." The Women's Bureau
at the US Department of Labor, again with the help of some of you
in this room, surveyed women and then analyzed over 250,000
responses from working women about the challenges and obstacles
that they face in the workplace and in balancing families and
work.
We learned a lot from that. We want to continue to listen
as we try to understand how women can be helped to balance work
and family and the opportunities they have available to them if
they take advantage of those opportunities. We will, on behalf
of the United States, promote women's equality with men in the
governmental, political, and economic decision making structures
of society. We will also highlight and try to involve as many
NGO's as possible. We believe strongly in participation by NGO's
in all United Nation's activities. When I was in Copenhagen I
stressed the role of NGO's, paid a visit to the Women's Caucus,
and made clear that the United States would continue to press not
only the United Nations but also any host country, such as China,
about ensuring that the broad range of NGO's who wished to be
able to attend, would be able to.
We will also make sure that young women are addressed. I
walked into the Women's Caucus and there were a lot of familiar
faces. (I kidded Bella Abzug who was chairing that I knew she
was a rather remarkable person but I did not know that she had
the power to have the Danes name a conference center -- the Bella
Center -- before I actually got there.) The leadership of women
who have been in the forefront of the struggle for women's rights
and women's equality is something that is very important, but we
need to bring in new women and younger women to serve as
advocates. And we will be looking to make sure that we will be
adequately addressing and understanding the special needs of
women as they confront their own life circumstances.
Many of you in the foundation community have played critical
roles in advancing a progressive women's agenda here in the
United States and around the world for many many years. You're
going to be looking, I know, how to translate rhetoric into
action. And we want your help in creating an action plan that
will take whatever the rhetorical goals are, whatever the
concerns are of the people in this country and begin to put them
into some kind of strategy for implementation.
We are putting together a strong leadership team to head our
delegation to the Women's Conference. I am delighted to serve as
the honorary chair. Ambassador Madeleine Albright will lead the
delegation. Marjorie Margolies Mezvinsky will be the deputy
chair and the director of the delegation and I think we are very
fortunate to have Marjorie doing that job. Veronica Biggins, who
is here today, is a vice-chair and will be in a leadership
position. Lynn Cutler and Arthenia Joyner and Dottie Lamm have
been serving as permanent public members and have in that
capacity traveled around the world to the regional preparatory
meetings and we are grateful to them. They will be joined for
this final preparatory meeting by Linda Tarr-Whelan and Maria
Berriosabal.
We have selected some very good government representatives
and are grateful that a number of experts from the private sector
have agreed to join our New York delegation this week and next.
And we are pleased to have many of them with us and I hope that
when we break that you will have a chance to meet them.
Ambassador Albright could not be with us this afternoon but
I am pleased to introduce to those of you who do not know her
Marjorie Margolies Mezvinsky, who has taken on the task of being
the full time director of the delegation of this conference.
Marjorie, for those of you who may know her in her public
capacity, was a very courageous and effective congresswomen, took
a number of stands on behalf of economic opportunity and
budgetary sensibility. She is also a person who in her own life
has lived many of the roles that we're going to be exploring in
the next month leading up to Beijing. She is the mother, not
only of children from other countries she adopted as a single
mother from other countries, but as the mother of her own
children from her husband Ed Mezvinsky and as the mother with Ed
of more adopted children. I kidded Marjorie and said she looked
like she was the Beijing conference in her household. This is a
woman, to give you some idea of her enormous courage, capacity,
and just confidence, who in the midst of her campaign for
Congress had her house burned down, so with a rather enormous and
varied family moved into extremely tight quarters and continued
to campaign and keep her family together.
We wanted to give everybody a chance to come and say hello
to Marjorie and me and there are a number of women in the
Administration here that I'd like to stand so that I can
introduce them to the rest of you. I see Carol Bellamy who is in
the back there. Many of you know Carol is the Director of the
Peace Corps.
Melanne Verveer who is on the end there is my Deputy Chief
of Staff and the woman who keeps track of a lot of these issues
that I'm concerned about. I see Laura Tyson who is the very able
former head of the Council of Economic Advisors and now the head
of the National Economic Council. Carol Lancaster who is the
Deputy Director of USAID and has done a terrific job in promoting
a lot of these women's issues. Karen Nussbaum, who is the very
able director of our Women's Bureau.
We've got many people from the Administration here doing the
good work that needs to be done, and I want each one of you to
meet each one of them. And if you have any questions, ask, and
we'll start to work on them. call us, call Marjorie, she's there
now. Call other people in the Administration, whatever, just so
that we can be sure to know what your concerns are.
We cannot do this right if we don't have the kind of support
from the foundation community that frankly was essential to our
success in Cairo. We never could have done what we did in Cairo,
we would not be prepared to maintain our achievements in Cairo,
if it hadn't been for extensive in-depth work on behalf of
foundations, working with NGO's, working with the delegation and
other parts of the government. So, to help us make some good
things happen for women here and women around the world, we
really need your help. So thank you all for coming and please
join us. (Applause)
END
Harper's
BA
R
WOMEN IN
BREAST
CHINA
CANCER
BY HILLARY
10 BIGGEST
RODHAM
BREAK-
CLINTON
THROUGHS
WILL
DIARY OF A
BEAUTY
COUTURE
EM ERGENCY:
VIRGIN
25 SPI CIALISTS
TO THE RESCUE
FEELS LIKE FALL
CHUNKY SWEATERS, CASHMERE COATS,
WOOL SKIRTS
OCTOBER $3.00
10
Amber Valletta Wears
Donna Karan New York
0
754724 7
DURING HILLARY
RODHAM CLINTON'S
VISIT TO CHINAWITH
THE PRESIDENT LAST
SUMMER SHE MET
WITH A WIDE RANGE
OF CHINESE WOMEN
AND LEARNED ABOUT
THEIR EFFORTS TO
BUILD A BETTER
FUTURE. HERE,
SHE SHARES HER
INSIGHTS AND
IMPRESSIONS
PHOTOGRAPHED
BY PATRIC
DEMARCHI
Scenes from the Clintons' history-
making trip to China. Left: The First Lady
is welcomed outside a girls' school in
Shanghai. Below, clockwise from top left:
Meeting her audience at the Shanghai
HE FIRST LACY OF THE
Children's Medical Center; the First Family
in Xian; the band at a Shanghai girls'
school; Hillary Rodham Clinton with her
daughter, Chelsea, and Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright at the Beijing University
Library; children greeting the First Lady at
Beijing University; a young Chinese girl.
here's an expression in China that "women
hold up half the sky." I thought of that powerful
image often as I accompanied the president on
his historic trip to China a few months ago and
met with women who are struggling to improve
their lives and expand their freedoms. Their
achievements-some of which astonish even
the women themselves-are helping to shape
that country's future as it undergoes a period of great change.
One of the women I met was Xie Lihua. She's in her 40s now,
but as a teenager she was a passionate revolutionary and a
member of her school's Red Guard committee. Today she's
turned her energies to helping some of China's poorest women
raise themselves and their families out of poverty. When banks
refused to offer some of these women credit, Xie pooled mon-
ey of her own-from an international prize she had received for
her work with rural women-along with a donation from Bing
Xin, one of China's most famous writers, and parceled out
loans and advice about how to start up new businesses. To ex-
plain how microcredit is helping rural women gain greater eco-
nomic independence, she says, "If I give you an apple, you will
eat it once. If I give you a seed, you can grow your own tree."
Xie told me about how her microcredit program helped a dis-
abled woman in a rural village open her own bean-curd shop. Her
husband had always viewed her as a burden, but with the money
she earned in her new business, she was able to help him with
expenses for their small farm, gaining respect not only within her
own family but also throughout the village. During our nine-day
trip, I was to hear many such stories of the challenges facing
women in China today-and of their efforts to overcome them.
The president went to China to strengthen the ties be-
tween China and the United States, and to address critical
issues like human rights and the nonproliferation of missiles.
To make significant progress on these and other complex
problems, the president has said, "Our two nations will be far
better off working together than apart." We also wanted to
see for ourselves the dramatic changes sweeping this vast
country, and to help the Chinese people learn more about
who we are and about our hopes for an open and dem-
ocratic future in China. Although I accompanied the presi-
dent on many official and informal occasions, I also had my
own schedule of events and meetings. And nowhere did I
learn more about the challenges and the possibilities facing
China today than in my conversations with Chinese women.
260
One of the most pleasurable parts of the trip for me was
open up new opportunities for its citizens-including women.
having the delightful company of both my mother and my
I had first visited China three years ago, as honorary chair
daughter, Chelsea. There's a Chinese saying about the value
of the U.S. delegation to the United Nations Fourth World
of having "three generations under one roof," and being able
Conference on Women, in Beijing. I remember how moved I
to share some of these experiences with them made this an
was to look at that extraordinary gathering of women of differ-
especially meaningful trip for me. During our lifetimes the
ent races, cultures and beliefs who had come together from
three of us have witnessed such dramatic changes in our own
every corner of the globe to discuss common concerns and
country, notably in the area of expanded women's rights. So I
to build a common future. In my address in Beijing, I said, "If
treasured hearing their impressions of China as it begins to
there is one message that echoes forth from this conference,
it is that human rights are women's rights-and women's
rights are human rights." The Platform for Action adopted by
the conference emphasized that the progress of a country
depends on women having equal access to life's basic tools
of opportunity, like health care, education, credit and jobs.
Everywhere I went in China, I heard echoes of that UN
conference as I met women from all walks of life determined
to improve their own lives and the lives of their families-
often against formidable odds. I met Xie Lihua at a forum of
Chinese women leaders in Beijing, hosted by the All China
Women's Federation, what we would call the government's
women's bureau. It was an experience I will never forget.
We were told that this kind of open dialogue had never
occurred before, and we were concerned that the women
who did come might feel intimidated and wouldn't speak
out. How wrong we were. I don't think I have ever met ad-
vocates more excited about the progress that women are
making or more vocal about the hard work that remains to
be done to ensure women's basic human rights.
From these courageous women, I learned about the high rate
of illiteracy among women in China, particularly those living in
rural areas. Many can't even write their names. Xie and others
now publish a magazine called Rural Women Knowing All,
which is designed specifically to reach those who can't read. It
uses colorful pictures to inform women about jobs, health-care
services and basic legal rights. A university professor told me
about programs she's involved in to keep girls in school, and to
convince those who have dropped out to return to class.
I also learned at that forum-much to my surprise-that Our
Bodies, Ourselves, one of the most popular self-help health
books ever written in America, had just been translated and
published in China. That such basic information about
women's health has been so scarce until now underscored for
me how far China still needs to go in educating its citizens. But
that such a book is now available is also a sign of progress.
NEW
YORK
CITY
PEKING LIVERSITY LIBRARY
WE WERE TOLD
teach her daughter. Once again, I was reminded that no matter
THAT THIS KIND
what country we live in or what language we speak, we share a
OF DIALOGUE
fierce determination to create a better world for our children.
HAD NEVER
These young women are growing up in a country undergo-
OCCURRED
ing a profound transition as it. moves from a centrally con-
BEFORE, AND
trolled economy toward a free-market economy and as its cit-
WE WERE
izens gain a level of freedom in their personal lives unimagin-
CONCERNED
able even a few years ago. Today those citizens enjoy greater
THAT WOMEN
flexibility to travel within and outside of China, to buy their
WHO DID COME
own homes, to choose a job or to attend a better school.
MIGHT FEEL
The president and I saw some of these changes firsthand on
INTIMIDATED
the initial stop of our trip. We were welcomed to Xian, China's
AND WOULDN'T
ancient capital, in a beautiful ceremony at a fort on the outskirts
SPEAK OUT.
of the old city. The next day we explored an excavation site
HOW WRONG
where more than 2000 years ago, thousands of life-size terra-
WE WERE.
cotta warriors had been buried with the first emperor to rule a
From far left: The
Great Wall of
China; Hillary and
Bill Clinton at one
of many receptions
during their visit;
on the Li River;
President Clinton
giving a press
No matter where I went, women
conference in
spoke to me about the need to pro-
Hong Kong.
vide women and girls with greater
educational opportunities. China is
a country that has traditionally
placed a premium on education,
and it has set a goal to eliminate
adult illiteracy by the year 2000. Yet
even as educational reforms are un-
der way to help students succeed in these more competitive
unified China. But we saw anoth-
times, girls are dropping out of school at a disturbing rate.
er kind of history being made
Many parents, feeling the pressure of tough economic cir-
when we visited the village of Xia-
cumstances, are taking their children-especially their
he just a few miles away. It's one
daughters-out of school to work in factories or on farms.
of the half-million villages around
But the high dropout rate-and the shocking incidence of
China that now elects its own
suicide among women-reflects another, more troubling reality
committee leaders. And many of
in China: that girls and women traditionally have been less val-
those selected at this subgovern-
ued. As a result of a strict and intrusive family-planning policy,
ment level are nonparty candi-
the goal of which has been to limit families to one child, there's
dates. This is the first tentative
a significant incidence of abandonment of girls and sex-
step-but a critical one-toward
selective abortions, and a resurgence of the practice of female
building a more democratic
infanticide. These brutal practices continue even though offi-
society from the bottom up.
cial government policy prohibits them. There is also an alarm-
However, the oppression of political freedoms and human
ing rise in the number of girls and women being forcibly sold
rights persists. Our trip was marred by the arrest of Chinese
into marriage, explained at least in part by the skewed birth
citizens who used our arrival to test the political system by at-
ratios that result in far fewer women than men living in some
tempting to register a political party. Chinese dissidents have
rural areas. China's own official news agency reported that be-
also been arrested and jailed since our return, and the issue of
tween 1991 and 1996, police rescued 88,000 women and
serious and widespread human-rights violations-including
children from traffickers. The situation has spurred the govern-
those in Tibet-continues to be a major impediment to the re-
ment's All China Women's Federation to launch a campaign
lationship between our two countries reaching its full potential.
entitled "Girls Are Just As Valuable As Boys."
Since 1978, China has experienced perhaps the fastest
So I was especially pleased to visit an all-girls' school in
rate of economic growth in history. Millions of Chinese citi-
Shanghai that has a rigorous academic curriculum and a highly
zens have risen out of poverty, an extraordinary accom-
competitive sports program, clearly challenging future female
plishment. Yet others-particularly uneducated women-
leaders to excel. These smart young women asked me all kinds
have been left behind. One reason for this disparity is that
of questions, from whether I had mastered the skill of eating with
while the Chinese economy has been growing, the govern-
chopsticks (sort of) to what kind of music I like (provoking a sym-
ment's closing of inefficient and money-losing state enter-
phonic response!). One student told me her mother had just fin-
prises has dramatically pushed up the unemployment rate.
ished reading my book It Takes a Village, and wanted to know
And all too often, women are bearing the brunt. They are
what I thought were the most important lessons a mother could
more likely to lose their jobs and their benefits, to be forced
262
into early retirement or to be the victims of job discrimina-
center," she said simply, "and I got justice." But she and her
tion, and less likely to benefit from retraining programs.
daughter are still living with her ex-husband because their
In a small building on a side street in Shanghai, I climbed
apartment was assigned to him by his work unit, and she is un-
up four flights of stairs to visit a women's job-retraining cen-
able to find housing of her own. I applauded with everyone else
ter, established to address some of these growing problems.
when she said she was raising her daughter to be a lawyer.
There I watched women learning new trades, such as tailor-
Another client spoke about how she and other women
ing and flower arranging. This is also the site of a women's
she worked with in a factory had been denied their pay.
hotline, where volunteers field questions ranging from how
The center had launched a class-action suit against the
to find a job to what to do to control unruly children to how
factory's manager for back wages. They won the suit, but
to get out of an abusive marriage. I was impressed with the
the manager still refuses to pay.
way these women were reaching out to one another. Their
These stories and many others underscored for me that
questions mirrored the concerns of-women the world over.
though laws protecting women's rights in China, as in many
One of the biggest surprises of the trip was discovering the
other countries, are often quite comprehensive on paper, they
extent to which women's rights have been written into Chinese
are frequently not enforced. And that without the rule of law,
law. In 1992, for example, the National People's Congress
which includes open access to the legal system and judicial or-
passed a law on the "Protection of Rights and Interests of
ders that individuals can enforce, laws can be a cruel hoax. But
Women," which prohibits discrimination against women in such
based on the kinds of legal reforms that are being carried out,
areas as employment, property and education. Included in
and the legal precedents being set, I am hopeful that greater
those rights is self-determination in marriage, equal pay for
progress can be made toward implementation of these laws.
equal work and the equal allotment of housing and welfare ben-
Women's rights were the main topic of an address I made in
efits. I learned about some of these legal protections-as well
Shanghai. I spoke about how impressed I was with the progress
as the difficulty of enforcing them-at the Center for Women's
that women were making in China today, in areas such as the
Law Studies and Legal Services, at Beijing University, which I
rule of law, microcredit loans and literacy, with progress in the
visited with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. The center,
rural areas being most impressive. But I also spoke about the
supported by the Ford Foundation, is located in a simple build-
very tough work that remains ahead to ensure that women in
"WOMEN CAN'T HOLD UP HALF
China are not left behind in the 21st century.
THE SKY," I SAID, "IF THEY
"Women can't hold up half the sky," I said, "if they
make up the vast majority of those who can't read
CAN'T READ OR WRITE; IF THEY
or write; if they are still pulled out of school early; if
ARE DENIED THE JOBS THEY
NEED TO LIFT THEMSELVES UP
they are denied the jobs, loans and credit they
need to lift themselves and their families up from
FROM POVERTY; IF THEY ARE
poverty; if they are denied the freedom to plan
DENIED THE FREEDOM TO
their own families." I emphasized how "no country
PLAN THEIR OWN FAMILIES."
can reach its full potential until all of its citizens-
men and women, boys and girls-have the free-
dom and the resources to reach theirs."
One of the missions of the president's trip to
China was to strengthen the ties between the
people of the United States and the people of
China. So I was pleased to attend the signing of
an important joint medical collaboration between
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), in the United States, and the Beijing Med-
ical University. For years our two countries have
worked together to reduce the occurrence of
ing on the outskirts of the uni-
neural tube birth defects-including spina bifi-
versity. The work of the cen-
da-in Chinese babies. Unfortunately, such de-
ter takes place in just a few
fects occur more frequently in China than in any
cramped rooms, but the im-
other country in the world. Yet we know that
pact it's having on the lives of
women who take folic acid before they become
Chinese women reaches far
pregnant may reduce their chance of having a
beyond its walls. It takes on a
baby with those defects by at least 50 percent.
wide range of cases, from
family planning to job discrim-
Harper's Bazaar Photo
That day in Beijing, I met a woman who had
lost her first child to the deadly ravages of spina
ination to rape, and has won
bifida. In her arms she was holding her healthy,
more than half of them. But
squirming daughter-thanks to the current pro-
there are major hurdles to
gram between CDC and Beijing Medical Universi-
overcome. There's still rampant discrimination against women in
ty aimed at giving thousands of women like her a regular dose
China, and the justice system remains deeply flawed.
of folic acid. The new agreement being signed will expand this
One woman told us about her efforts to get out of an abusive
already successful collaboration to prevent birth defects, dis-
marriage. She was frail and soft-spoken, but her voice didn't
abilities and health defects resulting from environmental factors,
waver as she spoke about how the center had helped her to
including exposure to lead, radiation and water pollution.
obtain a divorce and an award for child support. "I came to the
Our countries are working together in other areas
301
263
a pitch she once reserved for "Little Red Corvette": "Three
also the awe-as we walked the Great Wall and saw it curve its
blind mice, three blind mice / See how they run, see how
way over the crests of China's hills as far as the eye could see.
they run / They all ran after the farmer's wife...." "She's like
We also talked about the many images of China as it be-
me," says Bernhard. "She loves noise and excitement. When
gins, however cautiously, to push open the doors of opportu-
things get too quiet, she gets a little restless."
nity for its people. The president and I had attended a church
service Sunday morning in Beijing-filled to bursting with
DIARY OF A COUTURE VIRGIN (continued from page 247)
worshipers. Yet the government still supervises religious wor-
dauphin at the end of the runway with Catherine Deneuve.
ship and requires each church to register. Some churches
Who better than today's enfant terrible of fashion to take
refuse to do so out of fear of government control. And while
over YSL's domain? Once Saint Laurent was the renegade;
some are left alone, others have been closed down, their reli-
today he is the revered classicist. Gaultier leads the pro-
gious leaders arrested. But I was heartened by my visit with
longed standing ovation at the end of the show.
Secretary of State Albright to an old synagogue in Shanghai,
At Balmain one editor notices that de la Renta's ladies are
now renovated as a museum. Judaism is not among the five
a sea of beige, ivory and light green. Not one speck of
religions recognized by the state, and there's no agreement
black. Though fashion editors may defend the merits of
by the authorities in Shanghai to let this beautiful old building
black to no end, these women actually look chic, in a '60s
be used again as a place of worship. But as I watched Rabbi
Babe Paley, Gloria Guiness sort of way. The clothes reflect
Arthur Schneier from New York place a Torah in the syna-
the clean, "I'm wealthy, but I don't have to flaunt it" style
gogue's tabernacle for the first time in decades, I felt I was
that your average gilt-to-the-eyeballs moneyed woman just
witnessing at least a symbolic step forward, not only for the
doesn't understand. But Oscar, would Babe Paley ever
small Jewish community that remains in that city but, hope-
wear velvet knickers with mink trim?
fully, for other religious communities as well.
Couture is a cabaret at Thierry Mulger, in the pool room of
Perhaps the most dramatic example of China loosening
the Ritz. Cyd Charisse glides out in a full-length gown, which
up its restrictions on freedom of expression was the frank
she rips open to expose one emerald-studded, shapely leg;
and open exchange that took place between the president
Jerry Hall and her daughter Elizabeth Scarlett slither out in
and the students at Beijing University. The president spoke
matching black horsehair ensembles; one model strolls out in
to them about how the right "to be treated with dignity; the
a gorilla suit, which she strips off to reveal a sexy negligee. Très
right to express one's opinions, to choose one's own lead-
bizarre. These aren't the kinds of clothes you would wear to
ers, to associate freely with others and to worship or not,
dinner, but as Ungaro puts it, "Couture is a dream, and what
freely, however one chooses [are the] birthrights of people
woman doesn't want to dream?" Each to her own fantasy.
everywhere." That speech, and the subsequent freewheeling
question-and-answer period, were broadcast live on Chi-
HOLDING UP THE SKY (continued from page 263)
nese television, an unprecedented event. And once again, I
too. In Shanghai, I was pleased to announce five new ex-
felt I was witnessing an historic moment, as China presses
change programs that will bring Chinese women to the
forward-however tentatively-toward a more open society.
United States next year to share ideas and experiences with
As Air Force One returned to Andrews Air Force Base in
their American counterparts. The programs will be spon-
the early morning of America's Independence Day, I thought
sored by the United States Information Agency, and will em-
about the courageous women I'd met in China and in coun-
brace Chinese and American leaders at all levels, including
tries around the world who are struggling, often against
lawyers, educators, environmentalists, business represen-
great odds, to expand the circle of human rights and to en-
tatives, local government officials and youth leaders.
sure that every citizen-women and men, girls and boys-
Secretary of State Albright joined me for a final roundtable
can live in dignity and hope. Like citizens everywhere, the
discussion with women in Hong Kong on the last day of our
women of China seek to participate fully in the political, so-
trip. This was a high-powered group of women lawyers, doc-
cial and economic life of their country-and to say honestly
tors and political leaders who hold positions of authority still
that, yes, they do "hold up half the sky." They face formida-
unknown in the rest of China. I felt the forum was, in a sense, a
ble challenges ahead. But it is profoundly in our interest,
snapshot of what China would look like if it continues to open
and in the interest of all nations, to help them succeed.
up-both economically and politically-in the years ahead. An-
son Chan, Hong Kong's second-highest-ranking official, spoke
HOTEL WARS (continued from page 274)
about what it was like to be a woman in a position of such au-
on his belief in a design-aware audience that is primed to move
thority in Chinese society. Other women leaders discussed the
on from the high-energy buzz of the first boutique ventures to a
challenges of providing housing for a growing population, and
less frenetic environment. "I'm concerned that boutique hotels
the steps that are being taken to secure fundamental human
have become synonymous with bad service," he says. "The
freedoms. I had to laugh when the conversation turned to a fa-
doormen are young, handsome, dressed in black and off doing
miliar topic: the need for women to find time to exercise as
auditions instead of carrying your bags. When the boutique was
they struggle to balance the demands of work and family.
new in New York, you could get away with it, but I don't think
That night as the president and I joined Chelsea and my
you can anymore. People are bored of that. I'm tempted to get
mother on the plane for the long 17-hour trip home, we shared
a couple of middle-aged men on the door."
a few stories before we drifted off to sleep: the stark beauty of
Another shift in focus of the new hotels is their emphasis on
Guilin, where rugged mountains dip dramatically into China's Li
health, which means more than installing a sauna or an em-
River; the sights and smells of Beijing's market, where we
bryonic gym in the basement. McNally has wooed Manhat-
bought porcelain jars and Chinese scrolls; the wilting heat-but
tan's ultrachic pamper zone, Bliss spa, to his Miami
302
BAZAAR OCTOBER 1998
301
Withdrawal/Redaction Marker
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
002. cable
Eliminating Violence Against Women in China (3 pages)
05/21/1998
P1/b(1)
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
First Lady's Office
Melanne Verveer
OA/Box Number: 20027
FOLDER TITLE:
China (More)
2013-0534-S
ry1657
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act- [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
b(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
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financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
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information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
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personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
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PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
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2201(3).
concerning wells [(b)(9) of the FOIA]
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
24/06 '98 09:11 FAX 010 65325495
FORD FOUNDATION
002
DISTRIBUTION LIST FOR NOV. 25, 1997 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MEETING
11A258
Ms. Chen Yiyun (1) Director, Jinlun Family Center, Tel: 65241030 Fax: 65276209
Jinglun Center does
Address: (boig
teen sex counseling, Women's canseling
Ms. Chen Mingxia ( Senior Researcher. Institute of Law, Chinese Academy of
Social Sciences. Tel: 64054242 Fax: 64014045
top law expert,
Address:
very sharp
Ms.
Guo
Jianmei
(SP
), Executive Director, Women's Law & Legal Services Center
Peking University Law School. Tel: 6256-6337/6283-5318
Address: 1t
Fax: 6256-6337
Ms.
Huang
Changqi
(**
), East Meets West Translation Group, Tel: 68320029
Address: the 100037)
Ms. Li Ymhe ( ), Researcher, Institute of Sociology, Chinese Academy of
Social Siences. Tel: 65137744 ext.558
- research on domestic
Address: (*)
violence
Ms. Liu Bohong ), All-China Women's Federation. Tel: 65225392
(
Women's health network Address:
convener
Ms. Wang Shu then (E Director, Qianxi County Raral Women's Law Services Center
rural legal Services for
Address: Qianxi Cusity, Hebei Province
women
Tel: (0315) 561-1551 FAX: (0315)561-0821
Ms. Pi Xiaoming ( [...] ER
), lawyer, Dongcheng District Women's Federation.
Tel: 65253340 Fax: & Tel: 64253935 (home)
Address:
******
Prof. Qiu Renzhong ), Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, convenor of
national seminar on domestic violence (Nov. 1997)
- Fesearch on dametic valunce
Tel: & Fax: 65122025
Address: 1t (ФРЅД 10005) *************************
Ms. Sun Xiaomei ( ( 33. as
), Center for Researches & Information on Women,
China Women's College. Tel: 64925410
Address:
- indicates individuals whom are highly recommended for possible roundtable
on either Wamen's issues N domestic violence
24/06 '98 09:11 FAX 010 65325495
FORD FOUNDATION
001
FAXED
THE FORD FOUNDATION
INTERNATIONAL CLUB OFFICE BUILDING. SUITE 501
JIANGUOMENWAI AVENUE, NO. 21
BEIJING, CHINA 100020
Tel: (86-10) 6532-6668
Fax: (86-10) 6532-5495
writer's e-mail address: [email protected]
FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION
Total number of pages inc. this cover sheet:
TO:
Susan O'Sullivan, US Dept. of State
FAX: 202-647-1677
FR:
TEL:
Phyllis L. Chang Pre
DATE: May 23, 1998
RE:
Women's Issues Roundtable
Susan,
Glad we had a chance to catch up, even if only briefly. I am leaving tomorrow morning for a
project visit and must attend part of the trial procedure seminar today, so I won't be able to
get you as much information as I had hoped. But here are some suggestions for women
activists-and great people-whom would be excellent for a roundtable. If a roundtable is to
be held, which I think would be very interesting, my one very strong plea is to include
Chinese who do not speak English (this problem can be reasonably overcome with the
topnotch interpreters that the Presidential delegation will certainly have). At similar events
in the past, only Chinese who speak good English have been chosen. As you can imagine,
this distorts the pool of candidates and you really miss some of the best people.
I have sent by express mail a small package with a couple of misc. English articles on
women's issues in China, as well as Chinese materials from some of the organizations we
talked about.
Hope these are of some help or inspiration!
Best,
Phyllis
Reylos
June 10, 1998
Melanne,
Three issues:
1) I'm not crazy about the President writing to Jiang Zemin
seeking his support for the National Gallery exhibition.
Presidential letters to the Chinese threaten already to be
degraded in value by the frequency with which we have sent them.
I'm afraid a letter on this subject would further the
debasement.
We're very supportive of the National Gallery exhibition and
want to help them. I've sent a suggestion down to the NSC
speechwriters to include a reference to it in one of the
President's public remarks during his China trip. I also think
it would be appropriate for the President to write to Rusty
Powell praising the exhibition. Maybe we could get the
President to mention it to Jiang Zemin (e.g., at their private
dinner). This combination should be more than enough I would
think.
2) On the proposal the First Lady preside over the award
ceremony at Tongji University as proposed by United
Technologies, I'm slightly negative for two reasons. A) We've
generally been avoiding company-specific events on the trip. B)
United Technologies has an important and controversial piece of
business before the USG, namely whether the President should
waive the sanction on sale of engines and spare parts for
Blackhawk helicopters sold to the PLA in the 1980's but
prohibited since Tiananmen. I think it is not in our interest
or UT's to have or be seen as having too close a relationship on
China as we move to consider that decision. I don't see any
ethical problem, just a public relations consideration. This
one is not open-and-shut, however, since we certainly do support
educational exchange programs.
3) I was told last night by another NSC office that some musical
group performing next week at a concert sponsored by the
International Campaign for Tibet and something called the
Milarepa Fund supposedly had arranged for the musicians to see
the President "through a contact in the First Lady's office."
Don't know if it's true or what the circumstances would be, but
I'm not sure this is something the President should do. We've
been working very hard through diplomatic channels on Tibet
issues, and as part of our strategy have not sought events with
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P.2/5
JUN. 1.1998 2:15PM
DRAFT
My dear Mr. President,
Anticipating our very busy agenda during the next few days, I am delivering to you by
hand a letter from Dr. Earl A. Powell III, the director of the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
The letter details plans for a major exhibition of The Golden Age of Archaeology: Celebrated
Archaeological Finds from the People's Republic of China, scheduled to mark the
commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our
two countries, the People's Republic of China and the United States of America.
Recently, I had the pleasure of discussing the plans for the exhibition with Dr. Powell and
am personally convinced that this exhibition will be of major cultural importance and will be
significant in furthering understanding among the people of our two countries.
Given the magnitude of the project, I hope that you will be able to give to it your personal
support in order to ensure that it is as successful as the organizers hope it will be. I am most
grateful to you for your consideration of my personal request in this matter and hope to have time
to discuss the exhibition with you further during our time together. With all best wishes,
Sincerely,
William Jefferson Clinton
President Jiang Zemin
President
People's Republic of China
JUN. 1.1998 2:16PM
NO.754
P.3/5
DRAFT
My dear Mr. President,
In anticipation of your meeting in Beijing with President Clinton, I am taking the liberty of
writing to you regarding the planned exhibition at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, The
Golden Age of Archaeology: Celebrated Archaeological Finds from the People's Republic of
China, an exhibition which I believe will be of great importance to both of our countries, and
about which I have already spoken at length to President Clinton.
The Golden Age of Archaeology: Celebrated Archaeological Finds from the People'
Republic of China will be the greatest survey of Chinese art and archaeology ever to be lent by
the People's Republic of China and is being organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington,
and the Nelson-Atkins Museum, Kansas City, in cooperation with the State Administrative
Bureau for Museums and Archaeological Data of China. In presenting new perspectives on early
Chinese civilization and art, documenting the most recent excavations and ideas in the field of
Chinese archaeology, the exhibition will show that various ancient Chinese cultures flourished
concurrently throughout the country and the origin of Chinese civilization and art was not solely
from the valley of the Yellow River, as previously thought, but developed from the interaction
and achievements of various remarkable cultures throughout China
As you know, in 1974, the National Gallery of Art, considered to be the nation's
preeminent art museum, first introduced the American public to the splendors of ancient Chinese
art in The Exhibition of Archaeological Finds of the People's Republic of China. While there
have been several scholarly exhibitions focused on Chinese art and archaeology since that
landmark exhibition, it is expected that The Golden Age of Archaeology: Celebrated
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JUN. 1.1998 2:16PM
Archaeological Finds from the People's Republic of China will surpass all of them in historical
breadth and will make a significant contribution to the western world's knowledge of ancient
Chinese cultures.
This most important exhibition illustrating the achievements of Chinese culture through
masterpieces dating from 6000 B.C. to A.D. 220 (from the Neolithic through the Han periods)
will, in addition, mark the commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the United States of America.
By bridging cultural and historical understanding, the exhibition will create a venue for an even
greater appreciation of your ancient civilization while also providing a unique opportunity for
insights into the 21st century and the next millennium.
The Golden Age of Archaeology: Celebrated Archaeological Finds from the People's
Republic of China will open at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, on September 19,1999,
and will be on view through January 2, 2000, It will then travel to three other prominent
institutions in the United States, representing major regions of our country--the Museum of Fine
Arts, Houston, from February 13 through May 7, 2000; the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco
from June 21 through May 7, 2000, and the Detroit Institute of Arts from October 15, 2000,
through January 7, 2001.
We are most fortunate to have as our project director, Dr. Xiaoneng Yang, curator of
Chinese art at the Nelson-Atkins Museum, Kansas City, and formerly Vice-Director of the
Exhibition and Conservation Department, Archaeological Overseas Exhibition Corporation,
Ministry of Culture, the People's Republic of China. Dr. Yang has been working very closely with
his colleagues at the Chinese State Administrative Bureau to select those objects which will be
most representative of Chinese culture of this period. As there is, and will certainly continue to
be, a great deal of interest on the part of American and international museums in exhibitions of
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JUN. 1.1998 2:16PM
works from China, and understandably some competition for many of the same works, it is our
hope that this particular exhibition, The Golden Age of Archaeology: Celebrated Archaeological
Finds from the People's Republic of China, will include the most important works of art as it will
set the standard for exhibitions yet to come in the new millennium.
In this regard, we would be most grateful if you could give to this particular exhibition
your personal support and encourage our colleagues at the Chinese museums, from whose
collections the works have been carefully selected, to agree to lend all of the works requested
from them for the exhibition. Our curators are particularly hopeful that the stunning set of bronze
bells from the Zenghouyi Tomb in Hubei Province and the silk paintings from the tombs at
Mawangdui and Changsha will be approved for this exhibition. We remain confident that with
your assistance the final checklist as submitted will be approved, in the very near future, and the
success of this extraordinary collaboration between our two countries will be guaranteed.
I am most grateful to you for your consideration of my personal request in this matter and
would be happy to answer any questions that you might have about our plans for the exhibition.
With all best wishes, I am,
Sincerely,
Earl A. Powell III
President Jiang Zemin
President
People's Republic of China