Free China Movement leaders Praise Mr. Zhao Ziyang's courage to stand on the right side of FCM PRESS RELEASE FREE CHINA MOVEMENT 4101 Davenport St., NW, Washington, DC 20016 http://www.freechina.net/ Washington DC Jan 16, 2005 Free China Movement Leaders Praise Mr. Zhao Ziyang's Courage to Stand On the Right Side of History in 1989 by Refusing to Join the Decision to Crack Down Peaceful Demonstrations in 1989 while Sacrificing His Own Political Future Inside the Chinese Communist Party and the Government; FCM regards Mr. Zhao as the last leader from within the Party and the Chinese government that Chinese could talk with, negotiate with and believe in. "We feel sad that China has lost one of its greatest reformers since 1949 who advocated for the rule of law and democracy and insisted on the peaceful dealing with the pro democracy uprising in 1989. Mr. Zhao had the courage to stand up against the bloody crack down though he knew that he would lose his own political future. He could have done more by openly standing with the pro democracy movement and helped to end the dictatorship in 1989 but we have to acknowledge the historical limitation to a person. However after 1989 during his 15 years of house arrest he openly advocated that there must be political reform toward the rule of law and democracy or the Chinese communist party would have no legality by continuing the totalitarian system in China during peaceful times. Mr. Zhao will be remembered as a true democrats and a man with principle. He had hoped that political reform could come late before 1989 but during his last years he lost his hope by stating clearly that political reform has to go hand in hand with economic reform or it would be the cause of all social problems." Stated Shengde Lian, former Tian An Men Square student leader and political prisoner and executive director of Free China Movement. "Mr. Zhao was one of the few leaders from within the Chinese Communist Party who believed in the values of democracy and the rule of law. He would be remembered for his sacrifice for the better future of China. He is a great man who refused to be the enemy of the history by voting against the killing of the pro democracy students. Though his goals of political reform are not accomplished, but they will be similar to those of the pro democracy movement -- to establish a government from the people, by the people and for the people." State Dr. Wang Zhongxiao, American director of Free China Movement. "Fifteen years of history since the 1989 Massacre has proved that the Chinese Communist Party has lost its credibility, capability and willingness to lead the political reform necessary to establish a true republic in China. Mr. Zhao's legacy will tell the Chinese people that political reform toward democracy and the rule of law are the only ways to achieve true stability and sustaining development in China. The pro democracy movement appreciate Mr. Zhao's contribution and sacrifice to this noble cause and will work together to achieve the goals Mr. Zhao set but was unable to achieve from within the Chinese Communist Party!" Stated Arthur Liu, former student leader in 1989, leader of FCM and the Chairman of Chinese Republican Party. (30) (01/16/2005 22:43)