Ron Fournier
Bush meets Chinese president for the first time
Fri Oct 19 02:15:28 2001


Bush meets Chinese president for the first time

By Ron Fournier, AP

19 October 2001

US President George W. Bush said he is confident that China
stands "side by side with the American people" during US
military strikes on Afghanistan. But Chinese President Jiang
Zemin cautioned the United States to "avoid innocent
casualties."

After his first meeting with Jiang, Bush told reporters he is
satisfied with China's cooperation on intelligence gathering and
pursuing financial assets of al–Qaida, the shadowy ring of
terrorists believed to be behind the Sept. 11 attacks, and its
founder, Osama bin Laden.

"There was no hesitation, there was no doubt they'd stand with
our people during this terrible time," Bush said at a joint news
conference. He said the Chinese government stands "side by
side with the American people as we fight this evil force."

For his part, Jiang told reporters that he is "pleased to note
that recently, there's been an improvement in our ties."

The two leaders met on the eve of the Asia–Pacific Economic
Cooperation summit – a meeting that Bush hoped to use to
garner further support from leaders of Pacific Rim nations for
the U.S.–led effort against terrorism.

Some nations gathering for the summit said they hoped U.S.
attacks would end soon, exposing a possible split with Bush,
who says the strikes could last one or two years.

Jiang gave qualified support of the military action in
Afghanistan, saying there must be "clearly defined targets" and
the United States must "avoid innocent casualties."

China condemned the Sept. 11 attacks and quickly offered
anti–terrorism intelligence to the United States. But Beijing's
leaders are reluctant to back military intervention in other
nations, concerned about setting a precedent for outside action
over China's own restive regions of Tibet and Xinjiang.

Jiang and Bush met for two hours at a guesthouse in the
western suburbs of Shanghai, but it was not all talk of
cooperation.

Bush reminded Jiang that the United States opposes human
rights abuses, raising a traditionally sensitive issue between
the two countries. "The war on terrorism must never be an
excuse to persecute minorities," Bush said.

Bush also mentioned Taiwan, considered a renegade province
by China, and said Beijing should p be a bright future in our
relations."

Bush also raised the issue of weapons proliferation, a
reference to China's history of selling sensitive nuclear
technology to other nations.

Referring to points of contention between Washington and
Beijing, Jiang said, "China and the United States differ in
conditions. So it's normal that there are disagreements
between us."

Bush arrived in this gleaming port city Thursday evening. His
first international trip since the attacks in New York and
Washington is drawing extraordinary security. Air space was
restricted over Shanghai, and 10,000 police officers were
guarding the streets. Boats patrolled the city's busy
waterways.

"I leave my country at a very difficult time," Bush said. "But
this meeting is important because of the campaign against
terrorism, because the ties between the two great nations,
because of the opportunity and hope that trade provides to our
people."

Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet Sunday as
the APEC summit wraps up.

White House national security adviser Condoleezza Rice on
Friday dismissed reports from Russia that a breakthrough was
imminent on differences between Washington and Moscow
over Bush's plan to build a missile defense system.

Rice said progress has been made on the issue, "but I would
not suspect any breakthroughs in Shanghai."

At the news conference, Bush also spoke of the anthrax cases
cropping up in the United States. He said there was no direct
link to foreign interests such as al–Qaida or Iraq, but pledged:
"Our nation will do what it takes to bring them to justice."

Bush did not rule out the possibility that the anthrax attacks
are acts of domestic terrorism, and vowed to prosecute those
who carry out anthrax hoaxes. Six people have confirmed to
have been infected since the Sept. 11 attacks, including one
who died last week, and scores have tested positive for
exposure after media outlets and politicians received
anthrax–laced letters.

"Anybody who would mail anthrax letters to try to affect the
lives of innocent people is evil," Bush said, thumping the
lectern.

Bush also refused to confirm reports that U.S. special forces
are in north and south Afghanistan for ground combat. "I will
not comment on ... military operations," he said.

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia_china/story.jsp?story=100350