February 12, 2000

Dear Member of Parliament:

Calgary West MP Rob Anders deserves the thanks and appreciation of all Canadians concerned about human rights and foreign policy.

Wednesday night, at a Chinese New Year's celebration on Parliament Hill, he was asked by officials of the Red Chinese Embassy to leave because he was quietly wearing a tee-shirt calling on the Communist Chinese to get out of Tibet. The shirt also proclaimed: "Stop Tiananmen tanks, forced abortions, burning books" and "Independent Indo-China, Korea, and Taiwan."

Firstly, these are the constructive pro-human rights stances we believe all MPs, regardless of party affiliation, support. We urge all MPs to publicly back Mr. Anders' stand.

Secondly, the effort to curb Anders' expression is entirely consistent with the Communist Chinese leaders' behaviour. They ruthlessly suppress freedom of expression at home and have as little regard for free speech and criticism abroad, as they quickly showed Mr. Anders. This ham-handed effort to gag Mr. Anders should be condemned by all MPs as and affront to the dignity of free Canadians.

Finally, while some MPs seemed miffed at Mr. Anders' spirited protest, his actions are entirely consistent with the "constructive engagement" we've been told our relations with China allow us to pursue. It's too bad that some other MPs were too reticent to let the Chinese communist diplomats know our abhorrence of their repressive policies.

Those who might say that we should not meddle in Red Chinese affairs must remember that we are a major aid donor to this totalitarian state. In fiscal 1997-1998, we gave the communist dictatorship over $88.9 million. We were their fifth largest aid donor. As such, we definitely do have a right to have a say in their outrageous internal politics.

Urging you to speak up and back Rob Anders in hios protest against communist Chinese repression, I remain,

Sincerely yours,