Following is the text of Fitzwater's June 2 statement. In making this important decision, the president stressed that it is wrong to isolate China if we hope to influence China. Section 402 of the Trade Act of 1974 explicitly links eligibility for MFN to the important human rights issue of free emigration.
China continues to permit the departure of citizens who qualify for a U.S. immigrant visa.
Although we have seen positive, if limited, developments in our human rights dialogue, the president has made clear to the Chinese that their respect for internationally recognized human rights is insufficient. We are deeply disappointed in China's limited actions with regard to internationally recognized human rights, and cannot describe our relations as fully normal until the Chinese Government effectively addresses these concerns. We want to elicit a faster pace and a broader scope for human rights improvements in China. Withdrawal of MFN would achieve neither of these objectives. Short of fully normal relations, maintaining a constructive policy of engagement with China has served U.S. interests.