FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MILWAUKEE (Sept. 7, 2000) - A commemoration of U.S. sacrifice in the Korean War revived a cautionary recommendation from the leader of the nation's largest veterans organization on the upcoming U.S. Senate vote on Permanent Normalized Trade Relations with China. The American Legion today marked the 50th Anniversary of the start of war during its 82nd National Convention here.

"Legionnaires from across the country today paid tribute to the 5,720,000 American men and women who sacrificed for freedom in the Korean War," American Legion National Commander Al Lance said. "Fifty years ago, China-backed communist forces from the North invaded the South. Today, U.S. troops remain in the demilitarized zone separating North and South Korea and the U.S. still lacks the assurance that China will neither strike at Taiwan nor otherwise act as a destabilizing influence.

"I visited U.S. troops stationed between the two Koreas. The American Legion keeps their best interest, as well as national security, in mind. There is more at stake here than trade. To preserve stability in Asia, the independence of Taiwan, and the fruits of a Cold War triumph forged on the bloody battlefields of Korea, the Senate should put the brakes on this deal. Congress should make trade relations with China contingent upon the president's annual certification that China is adhering to specific guidelines."

Reaffirming a resolution passed by The American Legion's board of directors in May, convention delegates recommended that Congress and the Clinton administration require China to meet four preconditions both for entry into the WTO and for ending the annual review of its trade status:

• Recognition of Taiwan's right to self-determination;
• Full cooperation on the accounting of American servicemen missing from the Korean War, Vietnam War, and the Cold War;
• Abandonment of policies aimed at military dominance in Asia; and
• Encouragement and promotion of human rights and religious freedom among the Chinese people.

The House approved PNTR for China in May.

Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Nels Running, director of the Korean War 50th Anniversary Committee, and retired Gen. Lee, Sang-Hoon, president of the Korean Veterans Association spoke at today's American Legion commemoration.

Copyright©2000 by The American Legion

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