February 17, 2002

New York, Feb. 16 (CNA) Several members of the U.S. Congress have urged President George W. Bush to raise issues regarding the Falun Gong during his upcoming visit to Beijing, the Falun Dafa Information Center in New York reported Saturday.

According to the information center, 94 members of the U.S. House of Representatives signed a letter to Bush requesting him to convey America's "great concern over the Chinese government's campaign of terror against innocent Falung Gong practitioners, and solicit the immediate release of specific victims."

The letter was initiated by Rep. Benjamin Gilman of New York and Rep. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, with the support of U.S. representatives from 28 states, the center added.

According to the center, in a separate letter signed by five U.S. senators, Sen. Paul Wellstone of Minnesota wrote: "We are deeply concerned about continuing reports of Falun Gong practitioners in China suffering restrictions on freedom of belief and expression, arbitrary detention, torture and death in custody."

Under domestic pressure from religious groups in the United States, Bush is expected to touch on the Falun Gong issue when he meets with mainland Chinese leaders in Beijing.

Bush's week-long visit, which began Saturday, will take him to Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing.

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