21.   However, Justice David H. Souter wondered whether the United States would protect a political dissident of a U.S. ally.

22.   In China, the report noted, widespread arrests of political dissidents continue.

23.   In recent weeks several political dissidents and monks who belong to an outlawed Buddhist sect have been tried and imprisoned.

24.   In recent months the government has rounded up political dissidents and consigned them to long prison terms after carefully managed trials.

25.   It has carried out a small, but remarkably concerted and coordinated effort in a country that normally takes great pains to isolate its political dissidents.

26.   It has practiced assassination of political dissidents without shame and without reproach from the rest of the civilized world.

27.   It imprisons political dissidents routinely.

28.   Last Thursday Clinton said Haitian soldiers and policemen had systematically raped the wives and daughters of political dissidents.

29.   More often, as with the opposition politician Chee Soon Juan, political dissidents are sued, fined, financially broken and professionally ostracized.

30.   No one would call Qian a political dissident or firebrand.