Demonstrations in China - Department of State statements, George Bush addresses - transcript

US Department of State Bulletin, August, 1989

Of the dependents order that was issued earlier this week, there are 10 dependents left in China, and they are coming out.

On charters; you know that we had a United charter that left on June 8. There were 65 Americans on board. Our Continental charter left on June 9 with 77 people, which includes Americans and third country nationals. There are no more scheduled chartered flights.

The embassy has told us that there are many seats now available on the regularly scheduled flights, and I will be glad to post for you the details on all commercial flights out of China. The number that we have is approximately 43 in the next 3 days, and their destinations are 10 different cities around the world.

DEPARTMENT STATEMENT, JUNE 12, 19S9,

Beijing and other cities remain relatively quiet. There is little troop activity that has been reported. Tiananmen Square is still surrounded by tanks, armored personnel carriers, armed soldiers, and barbed wire.

As you all know, there is an increase in the security presence surrounding the foreign diplomatic residence compound and also at our Embassy.

We estimate there are roughly 1,100 Americans still in China. In Beijing, private, 185; official, 118 as of Monday morning. [Figures for Americans in other cities were posted for news correspondents.1

Over the weekend, we did complete our bus convoy to Tianjin where 89 Americans were convoyed out. We completed a chartered airplane to Wuhan with 35 Americans on it. In Dalian, we took out a charter flight with 35 Americans and 70 third country nationals. That plane went to Hong Kong. Our best information is that all U.S. citizens who wish to leave have left or are on their way out, according to our Embassy in Beijing.

On VOA: Beijing is being heavily jammed and not much is getting through. In fact, for 100 square miles, there is very heavy jamming and not much is getting through. They are broadcasting 1 hour a day from the Philippines using medium waves, which is AM and is broadcast in Mandarin. This broadcast covers Guangzhou and the whole countryside in the southeast area.

WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT, JUNE 20, 1989--,

The President today directed that the U.S. Government suspend participation in all high-level exchanges of government officials with the People's Republic of China, in addition to the suspension of military exchanges previously announced [by the President at his news conference on June 51. This action is being taken in response to the wave of violence and reprisals by the Chinese authorities against those who have called for democracy. The United States has supported the legitimate democratic aspirations for freedom of peoples throughout the world. The

United States will continue to voice its concern and its support for these aspirations.

The United States hopes that the current tragedy in China will be brought to a peaceful end and that dialogue will replace the atmosphere of suspicion and reprisal. China is an important state with which we hope to continue productive relations.