
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 4, 1990                   TAG: 9004040102
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: HONG KONG                                LENGTH: Short

CHINA PROTEST FUGITIVE FLEES SAFELY TO WEST

Chai Ling, one of the top student leaders of last year's pro-democracy movement in Beijing, made a dramatic television appearance Tuesday to announce her escape to the West after 10 months as a fugitive in China.

"I am now safe and sound," said Chai in a near whisper as her husband, Feng Congde, sat by her side covering his face as he wept. "Please put your minds to rest."

The dissident couple were on a wanted list of 21 students accused by the Chinese Communist authorities of leading the Tiananmen Square protests last spring. The protests ended June 4 in a bloody crackdown by troops that left hundreds dead.

Chai, who was nominated for the 1990 Nobel Peace Prize by two Norwegian legislators, immediately went underground after the suppression and in a taped message smuggled out of China told of the military assault on the protesters.

by CNB