In U.S., Chinese Student Capitalizes on Experiences

--Millions of people watched on television last spring as Wuer Kaixi, a student leader during the pro-democracy protests in China, confronted Premier Li Peng to demand a dialogue. But the ensuing June 3-4 massacre in Beijing changed the face of the country--as well as Wuer’s life. Now a student at Harvard University, Wuer, 21, discloses little about his escape, for fear of endangering those left behind who helped him. But he is nonetheless committed to organizing other exiled students as well as those remaining in China. “If you experience that kind of massacre, it changes your life,” Wuer said. “Whenever I think of my friends who were murdered in Tian An Men Square, I feel the obligation.” He said that the Chinese press has been derisive in its coverage of the pro-democracy activists. “They’re paying a lot of attention to what we’re doing outside. And that means they’re scared,” Wuer said.

--The stars of the mayoral race in New York City are turning out to be less the candidates than the candidates’ supporters. And nowhere is this more evident than in the Democratic primary, scheduled for Sept. 12. Manhattan Borough President David Dinkins, who has a slight lead in the polls over Mayor Edward I. Koch, told the New York Daily News that his celebrity backers include entertainers Bill Cosby, Mary Tyler Moore, Harry Belafonte, Susan Sarandon, Robert DeNiro, Gregory Hines and Marlo Thomas and novelist Norman Mailer. Meanwhile, Koch is getting some high praise from the world of opera, with Beverly Sills serving on his finance committee. Koch’s aides said the mayor does not have a list of celebrity backers.

--If you’re wondering how Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi is faring since he was freed last July on $10-million bail, wonder no more. Khashoggi, who is awaiting trial in New York on obstruction of justice and mail fraud charges relating to the case involving ex-Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos, says he’s enjoying his freedom. “Everything is marvelous,” Khashoggi said in an interview in the New York Post. “When I’m out (people) won’t even let me pay for meals. There is no need to worry about me.” The bail agreement stipulates that Khashoggi must remain in Manhattan. He lives in his $26-million apartment on 5th Avenue.