Wei Jingsheng Foundation News and Article Release Issue: A79-W28
魏京生基金会新闻与文章发布号：A79-W28
Release Date: July 4, 2004
发布日：2004年7月4日
Topic: Memorial and Condolences to Wei ZiLin, father of Wei Jingsheng
标题：魏京生及魏京生基金会感谢大家就魏父魏梓林去世所表示的关切
Original Language Version: Chinese (Chinese version at the end)
此号以中文为准（英文在前，中文在后）
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Memorial and Condolences to Wei ZiLin, father of Wei Jingsheng
Editor's note:
(This issue was compiled for release on May 31, Memorial Day. But Wei Jingsheng advised to delay it to avoid conflict with the 15th anniversary of June 4 activities. On this Independence Day of USA, the sacrifices of these people and founding fathers of America more than two hundred years ago surely remind us once more we must pay for the noble causes and the well being of the people.)
In the morning of April 18, 2004, Mr. WEI ZiLin, father of Wei Jingsheng, passed away in Beijing's hospital at the age of 84. None of his four children, all of them in exile, were able to attend to him during his last hours. The news of his brief illness and ultimate rush to the hospital was kept within a very small circle during his final days, while we were concentrating on the on-going UN Geneva human rights convention and the 5th global Overseas Chinese Democracy Coalition congress headed by Wei Jingsheng. Mr. WEI ZiLin died right on the day our crowd dispersed as Mr. Wei Jingsheng was leaving Geneva.
I had no way to describe my emotional turbulence when I learned the news that his father was on his deathbed, and later the news he passed away lonely - a tragedy I was exactly afraid of. Wei ZiLin passed away the way my father did without his child at his side, and as the parents of many of our human rights advocators, as illustrated by one of the condolences we later received: "Now we all do not have a father" and one of the responses I received from a professor on Chinese study in response to my father’s tragedy: “I have always wondered what extremes the Chinese government has done to stop your human rights effort.” These situations reveal how inhuman the Chinese Communists are. In my case, every time I tried to go visit my father, they put a condition on me as a way to expect exchange, for they know well that my respect and intention to love my parents are the best, virtually the only bargain chip they have with me.
Recently, a reporter asked me about how I feel and where do I gain strength against the barbarian way of taking my loved ones as virtual hostages as a way to prevent/punish what I am doing. I had to honestly reply: that is my weak point, however, I will not give in. I told her that unfortunately, it is really not difficult to say "let them sell my bones" as did William Shakespeare's Henry V, but it is much more difficult to claim: "Send me the stew of my boiled parents" as Liu Bang did more than two thousands years ago. The tragedy never stops. But we should never give up our principles. It would only give these barbarians/terrorists reasons to take more hostages.
As I am here preparing this newsletter in memory of Wei ZiLin, my tears dropped when I looked at these photos of Wei Jingsheng with his father. They were taken in the autumn of 2000, the last time Wei ZiLin was able to see his children by making a trip to America with his fragile and disabled body. Given the minimal living conditions and space of these children, I helped to borrow a big house from a friend for the temporary reunion of the whole family - they had not been together ever since Wei Jingsheng's arrest some 20 years ago. I dare to assume that must be Wei ZiLin's happiest month. He talked softly and sweetly, hardly to picture the once strict father with high expectations. For the same reason, I ended up spending more time with him, towing him in his wheelchair around the east part of the USA and Canada. I feel fortunate to know more about this legendary man directly from himself.
Not happy to leave his children, Wei Zilin left the United States and returned to his home in Beijing after they celebrated his 81 birthday on October 1, 2000. In the final years of his life, all the connections he got with his children in exile were the phone calls. Anxious to know more, he stayed with a radio tuned to the news and hoped to hear his favorite son's voice, even a mentioning of the name.
Wei ZiLin died lonely, but all of our hearts are with him.
After the news of Wei Zilin passing away, both Mr. Wei Jingsheng and the Wei Jingsheng Foundation have received many condolences. In this newsletter, we publish two of them as a way of our appreciation to those of you who cared.
-- Ciping Huang
Photo link 1: The last photo of Wei ZiLin with all of his children (Havre de Grace, USA, September 20, 2000)
http://weijingsheng.org/pic/newsletters/newsletters2004/newsletters2004-2/WeiZL000920family-3.jpg
Photo link 2: A happy family of the Weis (Havre de Grace, USA, September 16, 2000)
http://weijingsheng.org/pic/newsletters/newsletters2004/newsletters2004-2/WeiJS000916harmony-3.jpg
Photo link 3: Love of a father, Wei ZiLin and Wei Jingsheng
http://weijingsheng.org/pic/newsletters/newsletters2004/newsletters2004-2/WeiJS000916father-3.jpg
Photo link 4: Wei ZiLin visits the birth place of Overseas Chinese Democracy Coalition (Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada, October, 2000)
http://weijingsheng.org/pic/newsletters/newsletters2004/newsletters2004-2/WeiZL001016HCP-2.jpg
Photo link 5: Wei ZiLin: Watching his children sailing far and away
http://weijingsheng.org/pic/newsletters/newsletters2004/newsletters2004-2/WeiZL000916sailing-3.jpg
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Condolence Letter 1:
Dear Elder brother Wei:
I was shocked and extremely sad to learn that your father has passed away. Your father has suffered in his life for you, but he should be proud to have a son like you. Nevertheless, it is hard to imagine that he left this world alone all by himself.
We are outside of China now because of Chinese democracy - to strictly speak, to keep a strong and straight backbone we came to exile. However, in front of these dictators, we do not spare even a half-drop of our tears for them. Even the year before last year, one official in the Chinese embassy told me that the only effective approach is to not let us to return to our homes. And I told him, “I know that I would not be able to return home in ten years, and ten years later my parents will be dead, and then I do not need to return home to visit them anymore! I'll choose to be buried in Germany instead, so would you please give up your bargain chip!” Nowadays, I have heard of democracy fighters begging to the dictators to allow them "returning home". I am very embarrassed although I would not want to further discuss it in public.
Seven decades ago, our fathers (both joined the Chinese Communist Party in 1930's) were the rebellions of the older era. They fought for the ideals of Communism and barely survived (my father still has a fragment of a bullet in his body). Yet, now their descendants become the rebellious of this newer era, and can not even return home to visit our own parents.
Maybe you or your siblings could write an article in memory of your father. I feel that an article that condemns the dictatorship with human feelings and human nature could make more people to learn about us, to understand us. Ten years ago, a friend of our democracy front in Germany passed away; we used a whole page of the newspaper to remember him with beautifully written articles. Various organizations also published their condolence letters. We should let the others see that when people in our ranks fall, all of us shall accompany the person to the end (his parents in China are still are not aware of that tragedy). When Professor Martin passed away, they also did similar things in the newspaper, along with many photos of him associated with the overseas Chinese democracy movement.
... ...
I'll stop here in a hurry, please really take good care of yourself.
-- -- --
Condolence Letter 2:
Dear Mr. Old Wei,
I was typing your articles last night. Reading your plain yet humorous language, I recalled the contact I had with you. I call you "the Old Wei" like the others. You never let me feel as a stranger, or afraid. I even enjoyed the time to debate with you and to joke with you.
I have told others that my confidence in the Chinese democracy has been greatly strengthened from the significant influence and character of Wei Jingsheng. One part that really touched me is that you talk of "peace and rationality", not to do things just for showing purpose and to make credit for ourselves. I also value your optimistic analysis of "low tide" time, and the disagreement on revenge. In particular, I am very moved that after all these tortures, you still carry on this type of thought. Ciping once told me: "Don't think Old Wei uses strong words, his heart is very kind and gentle."
As I was recalling these thoughts, I received news from Ciping that your father became very ill and had passed away just a few days ago. She told me this news because I thought to help you to do the children's duty for your father when I returned to China.
Upon hearing the news, I feel great sorrow and surprise. Because even when you were in Geneva, one could not detect the pain you were suffering from your father's terminal illness. Even reading these newly written three articles of yours, your heart seems as smooth as the calm water, along with some humor. I recall Ciping's article in memory of her own father, and that she hoped that you would not repeat her sorrow of not being able to see your father once more. Comparing Ciping's reference of your "kind and gentle in heart", my sorrow got doubled...
... ...
I do not know how to comfort you. As a matter of fact, for what you have experienced, for what you have lost, what kind of comfort could sooth your pain? According to "the average people's standard", you have barely anything. I just feel, whatever I say is too little and too light.
You said: "These people who for the others' interest sacrifice their own, are always extremely few. But they also gain the most respect from the others." As I was recording your word, an incredible respect to you arose from my heart. Now, all I could say is that you are one of these "few people who gain the most respect from the others." What you have sacrificed shall be well remembered by the average folks like myself.
Wish you take care of yourself and restrict yourself from too much sorrow.
-- -- --
(First released by Wei Jingsheng Foundation.
Please give credit, with the foundation's website at: www.WeiJingsheng.org.)
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中文版
Wei Jingsheng Foundation News and Article Release Issue: A79-W28
魏京生基金会新闻与文章发布号：A79-W28
Release Date: July 4, 2004
发布日：2004年7月4日
Topic: Memorial and Condolences to Wei ZiLin, father of Wei Jingsheng
标题：魏京生及魏京生基金会感谢大家就魏父魏梓林去世所表示的关切
Original Language Version: Chinese (Chinese version at the end)
此号以中文为准（英文在前，中文在后）
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魏京生及魏京生基金会感谢大家就魏父魏梓林去世所表示的关切
编者的话：
（本期一拖再拖，原定于5月31日美国清明节发出，但是魏京生建议推迟发出，以便集中精力进行六四15周年的纪念活动。今天是美国的独立节。它再一次提醒我们是那些两百多年前做出牺牲的人们才有今天美国的繁荣与强大。）
2004年4月18日早上，魏京生先生的父亲魏梓林在北京的医院去世，赏年84岁。在他离开人间的最后时日，他的四个被迫流亡的孩子没有一个能够和他见最后一面。在他去世前的最后那几天，他病危紧急住院的消息只有少数人知道。因为在这段时间，魏京生先生正在集中精力参加联合国日内瓦人权大会，并主持第5届中国民主运动海外联席会议。他的父亲魏梓林在我们结束了工作、魏京生准备离开日内瓦的那天离开了人世。
我无法描述听到魏京生的父亲病危，后来孤独去世时的震惊和悲痛——这是我一直担忧，最终发生了的悲剧。魏梓林去世的情形和我父亲一样，我作为他的女儿，没有能够他最后的时光陪伴在他身旁，魏梓林和我父亲，都享受不到正常的做人之父的权利。正像后来我们收到的一封慰问信中所说：“现在我们都没有父亲了”。这本身揭示了中共是多么的不人道。在我父亲病重的时候，每一次我千方百计地要去看望他，都被中共当作交换条件来胁迫，因为他们清楚地知道我十分尊敬和爱戴我的父母亲，这成了他们想要征服我的最后筹码。
不久前，一位记者采访我的时候又提到了我当年不能与我父亲最后见一面的悲痛与我对恐怖主义的人质政策的反应。我回答说：其实，要做“让他们卖了我的骨头”（莎士比亚的亨利五世）容易，但我没有那“分一杯羹”的勇气。然而，如果对这样的恐怖主义作了让步，那只会造成更多的人质，使更多的人遭殃。所以，我们决不能放弃原则，正义在我们这一边。
我现在准备着这篇悼念魏梓林的新闻简报，注视着魏京生和他父亲的最后合影，禁不住泪水涟涟。那是魏梓林先生2000年秋来美国时照的，那是他唯一的一次机会，拖着衰弱病残的身体看望他在海外流亡的儿女们。由于他的儿女们都居住狭小，我设法借了朋友海边的别墅给他们一家作临时住房，以便全家人可以团聚——这一家人自从魏京生20多年前被捕以后，还没有机会团聚过一次。我敢说那是魏梓林最幸福的一个月，他轻柔地甜蜜地和孩子们交谈，简直不能让人相信他曾经是个要求甚高的严厉父亲。同样的便利，使得我得以带着魏梓林先生周游了小半个美国，直接从他老人家那里了解到他们神奇的过去。尽管我知道，在这短暂的一月中，他老人家最高兴的还是与他的孩儿们在一起的时光。
孩子们在2000年10 月1日为他庆贺了81周岁的生日，之后不久魏梓林便依依不舍地离开了美国。在他最后的几年生命中，所有和海外孩子们的联系只能是通国际长途。因为急于要知道更多的情形，他常常守候在收音机前，希望听到他最喜爱的儿子的声音，哪怕报道中只是提了一下他的名字也好。。。
尽管魏梓林先生孤独地去世了，但是我们所有人的心是伴随着他的。他去世以后，魏京生本人和魏京生基金会都收到了很多慰问。在此，我们挑选了两封慰问信加以发表，以表达我们对大家关爱的感谢。
-- 黄慈萍
照片联接之一：最后的全家福（2000年9月魏梓林与他的所有的四个孩子在一起）http://weijingsheng.org/pic/newsletters/newsletters2004/newsletters2004-2/WeiZL000920family-3.jpg
照片联接之二: 天伦之乐，和睦家庭http://weijingsheng.org/pic/newsletters/newsletters2004/newsletters2004-2/WeiJS000916harmony-3.jpg
照片联接之三：父子情 http://weijingsheng.org/pic/newsletters/newsletters2004/newsletters2004-2/WeiJS000916father-3.jpg
照片联接之四：魏梓林访中国民主运动海外联席会议创建处
http://weijingsheng.org/pic/newsletters/newsletters2004/newsletters2004-2/WeiZL001016HCP-2.jpg
照片联接之五: 望着孩子们去远航
http://weijingsheng.org/pic/newsletters/newsletters2004/newsletters2004-2/WeiZL000916sailing-3.jpg
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悼念信之一：
老魏兄：惊闻你老父去世，不胜悲痛。你父亲为你连累了一生，但应当也要为有你这样一个儿子而骄傲一生，现在却孤独地离开人世。
我们身在海外，为了民运——更严格地说，为了这一不屈的脊梁——而流浪海外。但在专制者面前，我们不会给他们留下半点眼泪。前年一位使馆官员还劝我，他们现在对付我们的手段唯一就剩下不给我们回家而已。我就对他说了：十年内我不可能回家，十年后（我父母不在世）我也不用再回家，百年之后我葬也葬在德国！这样你们可以死心了吧。看到海外一些民运者向专制者吵着“要回家”，真是丢人，只是我不能在公众舆论上与他们讨论，因为这算是我们的“家丑”，越讨论家丑传得越远。
七十年前我们的父辈（都是三十年代加入共产党）是旧时代的叛逆者，为共产党的江山九死一生，我父亲到现在身上还留下一个弹片无法取出。现在他们的后辈却成了新时代的叛逆者，居然回家探望父母都不行了。
也许你或你的兄弟姐妹可以写一篇悼念的散文发表。因为我感到，一篇既痛恨专制、同时又充满人情和人性的文章，会让更多的人了解和理解我们。十年前我 们德国民运的一位朋友（中德民阵主席）因事故而去世，我们用整版篇幅发表了一篇悼念他的散文，文采写得很好，并以全德学联、德国民阵等发了讣告。我门要给人们看到，我们民运队伍中的人去世，我们所有民运的人都为他送葬（他国内父母迄今不知他去世）。马丁教授去世时，我也以全版篇幅发了一篇悼念散文和各民运组织的讣告，附上他与中国海外民运有关的照片。
。。。 。。。
匆匆搁笔，多多保重。
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悼念信之二：
老魏：
昨天晚上我正在把你广播稿打成文件。看到你朴素、幽默的语句的时候，想起了和你接触的点点滴滴。我跟着人们叫你"老魏"，觉得你一点也不让我陌生和敬畏，我甚至敢顶撞式地跟你辩论和开玩笑。
我对别人说，我对中国民主的信心，因为有了老魏的人格力量的影响，而大大加强了。我感受比较深的，是你谈到的要和平理性、不做秀，还有对"低潮"的乐观分析，以及对"秋后算账"的异议。我很感动你在经历了
这么多折磨以后，还坚持这样的想法。慈萍曾对我说："别看老魏有时候说话激烈，其实他心底很温和，对人很宽厚。"
正在我这么回忆的时候，慈萍告诉了我一个让我想不到的消息：你的父亲4月中旬起病重并且昏迷，前几天去世了。她告诉我这个消息，只是因为我有一些具体想法,想帮你尽一下孝心。
听到这个消息，我非常难过和吃惊。因为即使你在日内瓦的时候，也一点都觉察不出你正在忍受着父亲病重的疼痛。而且，你刚刚写好的这三篇文章，竟然也是心情如水似的平静，甚至还有些幽默。想到慈萍在回忆她自己父亲的那篇文章里说过，她不希望你重复她的悲痛，不能够在老父有生之年再见一面，又想到慈萍所说的你"心底温和"，我便更加觉得难过了.....。
。。。 。。。
我不知道该怎么安慰你。其实，面对你所经历的，你所失去的，什么样的安慰可以平复你的伤痛呢？按照俗人的说法，你几乎是"一无所有"，孩子，家庭，甚至爱情......。我觉得，说什么都太轻了。
你说过，"能够为了别人的利益而损害自己利益的人，永远是极少数。但他们也是最让人尊敬的"。我在纪录你这段话的时候，内心有着无比的崇敬。现在，我只能对你说，你是最让人尊敬的那些少数人之一。而你所牺牲的，将会被像我这样的普通人牢牢记住。
盼你保重、节哀。
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（魏京生基金会首发，请注明出处。）
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