Dear Mr. Kofi A. Annan,

Chinese President Jiang Zemin departed from diplomatic niceties during a formal address to parliament to lecture the Swiss government on allowing a protest against him. Swiss police provided protection for the delegation, but made no attempt to silence the demonstrators, many of whom also were chanting support for the Dalai Lama and were waving Tibetan flags. Some of the demonstrators reached the roof of a five -story bank building across the square and unfurled banners supporting Tibet.

Jiang, whose remarks in Chinese were translated into French, had just taken a limousine from a nearly hotel instead of walking the short distance that would have led him past the orderly if loud demonstrators shouting "Free Tibet."

Although pro-Tibet protests often shadow Jiang's trips abroad, he appeared to take special affront from the estimated 100 demonstrators among the 400 spectators. "You have lost a good friend," Jiang said Thursday (March 25, 1999) during what was to he the centerpiece of his state visit.

He said his hosts should never have allowed a noisy pro-Tibet demonstration right outside the Swiss parliament as he entered. "I have been President of the People's Republic of China for 10 years, and have visited many countries in this capacity," he added, "everywhere else I have been received warmly."

Later Jiang could be heard saying in English to Justice Minister Arnold Koller, "I should express my grief, I have never seen that --- in my country, your peaceful country." Swiss President Ruth Dreifuss told reporters she was sorry the visit got off on the wrong foot but that it was fine for Jiang to speak openly because "openness is the basis for friendship."

Jiang praised the vaunted Swiss precision of a music box he was given by his hosts and them asked "don't you have the ability to run this country?"

In our views, the democratic country not only reveal the tolerance of protest that under the law of government but also police give protection to President Jiang. President Jiang must learn mush more of the democracy.