REGIONAL Ambassador says group of activists 'cowards SEATTLE (AH) United States Am bassador to China James Li liny called demonstrators against Chinese human rights abuses "cowards" and suggested that one man. .1 Tibetan, "go back to China and serve China." But in a speech a few minutes later. Lilley said the United States wanted to set? "concrete improvement on China's human rights record." and referred to the lifting of martial law in Tibet as "window dressing." U S. Rep. John Miller. R-Wash . on Sunday said Lilley should apologize for his remarks made Saturday night to pro testers outside tilt? closing ceremony of a four-day trade exposition and sympo sium on 11.S.-China relations I.illey got into the argument with a handful of demonstrators outside Union Station before going inside to make his speech. Most of those outside the former train station didn't notice the exchange, hut it was taped by a cameraman for Seattle television station KIRC) Lilley and Chinese Ambassador Zhu Quizhen arrived in cars at the side of the station. About 50 demonstrators were at the front of the building, waving signs and chantings slogans condemn ing the Chinese government s sla\ ing of hundreds of demonstrators in Beijing in |une 1989 and its 40-vear occupation of Tifiet |ini Herman. :\2. a Seattle man whose wife is Tibetan, said he and a half-do/.en others left the main group on the chance the ambassadors might use a side en trance. They chanted "China — human rights!". “Tibet for Tibetans!", and "Remember Tiananmen Square!" lie said Zhu ignored the demonstrators and went inside. Herman said. Hut Herman said, and the MKO video tape corroborated. that l.illev suddenly shouted. "Were you at Tiananmen Square? I was there " "So what?" Herman said he replied "I know it wasn’t the greatest retort." Herman said afterward, "but I certainly didn't expect his outburst ' Lilley then shouted to a Tibetan man. "What are you doing about it? I’m do ing something about it You should go bark to China and serve China." "You’re cowards," Lilley told the demonstrators before entering the build mg Dan Model. spokesman for (ho Tibetan Sights Campaign, said he was left "speechless and flabliergasted" by the incident. China invaded Tibet in 1950. crushed an uprising in 195!) and introduced re pressive measures, including suppress ing Tibetan Buddhism. At a news conference after his speech. I.illcy was asked about the exchange "I looked at one man from China and thought that the best tiling he could do to help Ins country is to go back to ('hi na and work for it." he said Asked what message he intended to give the demonstrators. I.illev replied, "Nothing much. I guess " In a news release Sunday. Miller said he was appalled hv l.illey's remarks Miller s.iid protesters who returned to China could face arrest, trial and execu tion for speaking out in favor of dctiux racy. "This treatment by a U.S. ambassador of those seeking freedom and democra ts is beyond comprehension." Miller said. If l.illey does not apologize?. Miller said he would bring the matter to the at tention ol both President Hush <11111 Sec retary of Statu lames Maker "As a representative of the United States. Ambassador I.illey should un derstand the important e of people seek ing human riglits anti work to move for ward. not backward, in the pursuit of that cause." Miller said. Moth I.illey and /hu were at meetings Friday between Chinese Foreign Minis ter Qian (Jichen and Hush and Maker. In his speech, Zhu said relations have la-en warming between the two coun tries.