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Caltech Did Not Bow to China's Intervention Concerning On-Campus FalunGong Activity

加州理工大学没有向中国的干涉卑躬屈膝:校园法轮功活动照常进行

On the morning of Feb. 18, Ramanuj Basu, Audience Services Manager of Caltech Public Events Office, received a phone call from Liu Wan-sheng, who identified himself as a consular from the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles. "I am representing the Chinese government," Liu said. He asked Basu to cancel a seminar event to be held by Caltech Falun Club on the morning of Feb. 20 in Baxter Auditorium of Caltech. Liu said: "Falun Gong is illegal in China". "I really wanted to tell them that this is an American University." Ram said. He then told the caller that this issue should be handled by the Office of Vice President for student affairs. The Vice President, Professor Brennen, was surprised to learn about the request from the Chinese government.

2月18日上午,加州理工大学公众活动办公室某经理Ramanuj Basu接到一个叫刘万声(译音)者的电话,刘声称自己是中国驻洛山矶领事馆的一名领事。“我代表中国政府。”刘在电话中说。他要求Basu先生取消加州理工大学法轮功俱乐部主办即将于2月20日在加州理工大学巴克斯特礼堂进行的一个法轮功学术活动。刘说:“法轮功在中国是非法的。”“我当时真想告诉他们,这是一所美国的大学。”Basu先生说。他告诉打来电话的人,这件事应该由负责学生事务的副校长办公室处理。当副校长,即Brennen教授,得知中国政府的这项要求时,感到很意外。

Before that, in his email response to the invitation to the seminar, Prof. Brennen told John Li, the president of Caltech Falun Club, "Let me assure you and the Caltech community that Caltech has no intention of taking any action to interfere with the lawful activities of the Caltech Falun Gong Club. Moreover we remain committed to the free exchange of information throughout the world."

在此之前,当收到加州理工大学法轮功俱乐部主席John Li的邀请时,Brennen教授用电子信件回复道:“让我向你和加州理工大学的社团保证,加州理工大学无意采取任何行动干涉加州理工大学法轮功俱乐部的合法活动。此外,我们会继续承担在全世界自由交流信息的义务。”

The president of Caltech, Nobel Prize laureate in Biology, David Baltimore, also told John Li on Feb. 15 in his email response to the invitation to the seminar, "I certainly support your right to practice your faith."

加州理工大学校长,曾荣获诺贝尔生物学奖的David Baltimore先生在接到此学术活动邀请后也于2月15日用电子信件告诉John  Li:“我当然支持你实践自己信仰的权力。”

Two Caltech security officers were present during the seminar to prevent any interference.

法轮功学术活动举办期间,两名加州理工大学的保安官员到场,以防止任何形式的干扰事故。

Several months ago, Caltech also rejected China's request to remove the Caltech Falun Club website.

几个月之前,加州理工大学同样拒绝了中国关于取消加州理工大学法轮功俱乐部网站的要求。(2000年2月24日报导)