79-01-B1

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Human Rights

Transcript A few weeks ago on one of these broadcasts, I told the story of an entertainer, a juggler in a show troop who made a sudden decision to change countries. He was a citizen of the People's Republic of China and the troop he was with was performing in the Sudan. After an evening performance he made his way to a Sudanese government office and asked to be sent to Taiwan. They bought him an airline ticket and he became a free man. We know of course that literally tens of thousands of mainland Chinese every year make their way to the British outpost, Hong Kong. Some of these swim through miles of shark-infested waters, so determined are they to escape their homeland. Some also make their way to Taiwan where there is freedom and one of the highest standards of living in all of Asia. I mention this and the juggler's story because it connects with the administration's unexpected move to establish diplomatic relations with Red China. Not too long ago President Carter said "human rights" was the "soul" of his foreign policy. There are few countries in the world where human rights are more non-existent than in the Peoples Republic of China. One wonders if the President will address the rulers in Peking through his new ambassador on this matter of "human rights". Will he, for instance, bring up the backing by Peking of the inhumane regime in Cambodia which is practicing genocide on its own citizens? The horror stories from that once-happy land tops anything in the world for sheer inhumanity. But within the Communist China itself the violation of human rights is confirmed by literally thousands of stories told by escapees. Visitors to China of course do not see this because they are shown only the showcase China. When former United States Senator Hiram Fong -- himself of Chinese origin -- was on an official visit to Peking, and asked to be allowed to visit the village where his parents had lived, he was bluntly refused. I've talked of our betrayal of the 17 million Chinese on Taiwan -- haven't we also betrayed millions and millions of Chinese on the mainland who lived with a dream of one day regaining freedom? We have legitimized the denial of their human rights.		Details Batch Number 79-01-B1 Production Date 01/??/1979 Book/Page RihoH-155 Audio Youtube? No
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