DATE=5/19/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CONGRESS / CHINA TRADE (S)
NUMBER=2-262568
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  Congressional supporters of permanent normal 
trade relations with China say they are increasingly 
confident of victory in the U-S House of 
Representatives.  The House will vote on the trade-
status question next Wednesday (May 24th).  As V-O-A's 
Paula Wolfson reports, adding a human-rights provision 
to the trade measure is attracting some wavering 
lawmakers.

TEXT:  A week or so ago, there were signs the bill 
might be in trouble.  Supporters say they still don't 
have the votes to pass it, but are optimistic they 
will win over [persuade] undecided members of the 
House.

They have expanded the legislation to include 
protections against sudden surges of Chinese imports.  
And Republican leaders are supporting the creation of 
a high-level human-rights commission to monitor 
Beijing's practices.

Ohio Democrat Tom Sawyer says he is now ready to vote 
"yes."

                  /// SAWYER ACT ///

      I have made my vote, to this point, contingent 
      on the inclusion of additional labor and human-
      rights safeguards to the bill.

                   /// END ACT ///

Many opponents of the trade bill are focusing on the 
growing U-S trade deficit with China.  They say 
granting Beijing permanent normal trade relations will 
only make matters worse.   (Signed) 

NEB/PW/WTW



19-May-2000 12:34 PM EDT (19-May-2000 1634 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.