Russ Feingold: “attention is understandably on Iraq this week as we move ever closer to a decision on use of military force there to…”

“attention is understandably on Iraq this week as we move ever closer to a decision on use of military force there to disarm the regime of Saddam Hussein. But as we contemplate whether such action makes sense in terms of protecting our people from the threat of global terrorism, it is important that we not lose sight of important developments in other parts of the world. Earlier this week, Secretary of State Powell visited Beijing, reportedly to seek the support of China's leaders in dealing with Iraq and North Korea. This makes sense, since China has the power to veto any U.N. resolution on Iraq and is reputed to have influence with Kim Jong-Il. Our relations with China have warmed since September 11, as its support was deemed important to the success of the ``war on terrorism,'' both in Afghanistan and beyond. Unfortunately, China's leaders appear to have a very different agenda for this war. As the Chinese would say, we are sleeping in the same bed but having different dreams. Earlier this month, Wang Bingzhang, a Chinese democracy activist who has lived most of the past 20 years in New York as a U.S. legal permanent resident, was sentenced to life in prison following a secret trial on charges of espionage and ``leading a violent terrorist organization.''”