FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2000

Contact: 
Lawrence J. Goodrich, Communications Director, (202) 523-3240
 

WHAT: The Hon. Elliott Abrams, member of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and a former Assistant Secretary of State, will testify before the House Ways and Means Committee during a hearing on China's accession to the World Trade Organization.

WHEN: Wednesday, May 3, 2000 at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Room 1100, Longworth House Office Building

BACKGROUND: Commissioner Abrams will testify two days after the release of the Commission's annual report, in which the Commission recommended that "Congress should grant China Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status only after China makes substantial improvement in respect for religious freedom." Mr. Abrams will identify the standards (actions) by which the Commission believes "substantial improvement in religious freedom" should be measured.