Dear President Bush,

This week when meeting with the Chinese leadership we ask that you raise the many concerns about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China.

As an American citizen and practitioner of Falun Gong, I urgently request that you address these concerns with Chinese President Jiang Zemin about the many human rights abuses in China. Please understand Mr. President that Falun Gong practitioners are
not a politically motivated group against the Chinese Government. However, they seek the sameábasic rights for allámembers to be given the opportunity to practice Falun Gong.á We ask you Mr. President that you support this cause by addressing these issues peacefully through dialogue with President Jiang.

We appreciate the US Government and you, Mr. President, who have shown continued support for these human rights abuses against Falun Gong practitioners in China.á Therefore, please express these concerns with President Jiang.

The hard data: The persecution of Falun Gong members has drastically intensified. Over 350 practitioners have been killed; 100,000 practitioners detained; 25,000 practitioners sent to labor camps; over 1,000 practitioners interned in mental hospitals, and secretly organized police continue abusive action against innocent practitioners.

Mr. President, we urgently seek the release of all detained Falun Gong practitioners jailed and unjustifiably forced into labor camps, and those hospitalized in mental hospitals.á Mr. President, it is urgent that China lifts its ban on this ancient traditional culture practice and stops the harassment in the United States of Falun Gong practitioners, as well.

We thank and wish you Mr. President a safe and successful trip to Asia.

Lenny S. Cook, Major
United States Air Force (ret)