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From: IFCSS HQ <ifcss@wam.umd.edu>
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To: ccnl@utarlvm1.uta.edu, china-nt@uga.cc.uga.edu
Subject: IFCSS HQ NR-4020: Second Call on Shen Tong Rescue and Update
Status: R


**************************************************************
IFCSS Headquarters News Release No. 4020    September 17, 1992
          Second Call On Shen Tong Rescue and  Update
**************************************************************
Independent Federation of Chinese Students and Scholars (IFCSS)
   733 15th Street, N.W., Suite 440, Washington, D.C.20005
         Tel. (202)347-0017  Fax: (202)347-0018
                Email: ifcss@wam.umd.edu


           Second Call on Shen Tong Rescue and Update
           ==========================================

This is the second call for local CSS organizations and
IFCSS members to sign the open letter to Chinese Ministry
of Education calling for the release of Shen Tong and his
two associates.

So far, 11 Chinese student and scholars organizations have
endorsed the letter. They are:



Boston University                    (CSA)
Democracy for China Foundation, Inc. (Michigan)
East Tennessee Chinese Association   
Purdue University                    (CSSU) 
Texas Tech University                (CSSA)
University of Arizona                (CSSA)
University of Connecticut            (CSSC)
University of Maryland               (CGSA)
University of North Dakota           (CSS)
University of Texas, Arlington       (CSSA)
Virginia Tech                        (ACSS)

We have also collected over 70 individual signatures for
the letter.


==============================================================
As part of the effort to rescue Shen Tong and his friends, IFCSS
calls upon Chinese students and scholars organizations across the
U.S. to sign the following open letter. Individuals may also
sign the letter. Please send your name, school and telephone
number to the HQ. For organizations, we need the name of your
organization and the school your organization is located. 
Please give us the contact person's name and telephone number.

Thank you for your help.

---------------------------------------------------------------

    An Open Lettere to China's State Education Commission
    On the Arrest of Shen Tong, Qi Dafeng and Qian Liyun 



Mr. Li Tieying
Chairman
State Education Commission
Beijing, P.R. China

Dear Mr. Chairman:

We, the undersigned individuals and organizations, are writing to
request your immediate attention to the arrest of Shen Tong and
two other individuals. 

Shen Tong, a Chinese student studying at Boston University in the
United States, was arrested on the 31 of August at his mother's
residence in Beijing during his home-visiting trip. Arrested at
the same time were Qi Dafeng and Qian Liyun, former schoolsmates
of Shen Tong. The police did not produce a warrant while making
the arrest; moreover, up to now no specific offence has been
identified and released.

The incident has roused tremendous attention in the U.S. as well
as other countries and caused alarm among Chinese students. The
skeptism about the government's sincerity in pursuing an open
policy regarding overseas students has deepened.

Although studying abroad, we are genuinelly concerned with
development and progress in our motherland. We believe that the
above-mentioned arrest was politically unwise and morally
unjustifiable, an incident that could not but discourage the
return of overseas students. Therefore, we strongly urge you to
intervene, through your office, in this case to win immediate
release of the three individuals.

We recognize that the arrest was not an isolated event and that
it reflected a lack of respect for the basic rights of citizen
guaranteed by our country's constitution. We look forward to
seeing general improvements made in this regard. 

Sincerely,


(signed)


***************************************************************
         IFCSS Headquarters Office    Signature
***************************************************************


