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WASHINGTON- "I welcome the return to the United States of scholars Li Shaomin and Gao Zhan and the medical parole granted to Qin Guangguang by the Chinese government," Senator Lieberman stated. "Their release from prison is wonderful news for their families, friends and colleagues in the United States." "However," Lieberman continued , "the case of Yaping Liu remains of serious concern, particularly given his serious medical condition." Liu is a permanent resident of the U.S. who has been held in detention in Inner Mongolia since March on vague charges of failing to pay taxes. He suffers from severe headaches, lost vision, speech disturbance and loss of consciousness due to a life-threatening artery brain aneurysm. In an effort to assist in the release of Mr. Liu on medical parole, Lieberman has written to Chinese Ambassador Yang Jiechi, Chinese President Jiang Zemin, and Secretary of State Colin Powell. "Mr. Liu urgently needs medical care," Senator Lieberman said, "Yaping Liu presents a compelling case for humanitarian parole and should also be released immediately from prison." His wife, Pei Zhang, an American citizen resident in Connecticut, has received bills for medical treatment from the Chinese government, but Mr. Liu's attorneys have not been permitted to visit him. The attorneys have requested Mr. Liu's release for medical treatment, in full accordance with Chinese law. Text of Lieberman letter to Secretary Powell written on July 12th follows. Dear Secretary Powell: I am writing to request your assistance regarding the arrest and continued detention of Mr. Liu Yaping. Mr. Liu and his wife, Mrs. Pei Zhang, are both residents of Connecticut. Mr. Liu was arrested on March 9, 2001, by the Inner Mongolia Public Security Bureau in Huhhot, Inner Mongolia. Mr. Liu is being held for investigation on suspected tax evasion, document forgery, fraudulent financial practices, and other breaches of Chinese law. Mr. Liu is a permanent resident of the United States, and Mrs. Pei Zhang is a United States citizen. Unlike most of the other arrests of U.S. citizens or permanent residents in China, Mr. Liu is neither an academic nor apparently held under suspicion of spying. However, serious concerns have been raised regarding the state of Mr. Liu's health. Since his March arrest, Mr. Liu has suffered severe headaches, lost vision, speech disturbance, vomiting, and loss of consciousness. Subsequent to his arrest, Mr. Liu was admitted to local hospitals on three different occasions. Chinese doctors diagnosed Mr. Liu as suffering from an artery brain aneurysm. Medical reports clearly document that Mr. Liu is suffering from a life-threatening artery brain aneurysm which could rupture at any time. Mr. Liu's condition requires immediate hospitalization and medical treatment. Mr. Liu's attorney, Mr. Jerome Cohen, requested his client's release on bail for medical treatment. On May 24, 2001, I wrote to Chinese Ambassador Yang Jiechi and requested that the Chinese government respond favorably to Attorney Cohen's bail request and promptly release Mr. Liu. Ambassador Jiechi's June 1, 2001 response was noncommittal and indicated that Mr. Liu's "legitimate rights have been well protected in accordance with law". In late July, during your meetings at the 34th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting and Post Ministerial Conferences in Hanoi, Vietnam, I respectfully request that you raise Mr. Liu's case with Chinese government officials and press for his release on bail for medical treatment. It is my understanding that Chinese law allows for the release of prisoners on humanitarian grounds. Mr. Liu's medical situation should certainly qualify for humanitarian release as an urgent medical case.
I would very much appreciate your personal intervention in Mr. Liu's case and any action the Department of State could take on behalf of Mr. Liu.
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