While Chinese students at the University realize that President Bush's executive order may provide them with more benefits then the Pelosi Bill, they are upset with the message sent by the failed attempt to override Bush's veto.

The Pelosi Bill, created to offer Chinese students protection from deportation after last spring's events in Tiananmen Square, was vetoed by Bush in November. The Senate upheld Bush's veto yesterday, leaving Bush's Chinese policy intact.

"The problem is that it (the failure to override the veto) gives a strong encouragement to the Chinese government to kill more people," said one Chinese student who asked not to be identified because he feared repercussions. "I don't care about the benefits of the law or the executive order. I'm disappointed with the message sent by the U.S. government," he added.

Representatives of the University's Office of International Students explained future options available to over 200 Chinese students at the University during a special meeting last night.

Chinese student Dan Bai said, "You (the U.S.) are famous because you are the most democratic country in the world. That's a very precious thing. I'm very upset with the failure to override Bush's veto.

"This action will encourage the Chinese government and discourage the Chinese people," Bai said.

"The students are looking for assurance. The directive is good in terms of benefits but sometimes we feel unsafe and in danger," said one student who asked not to be identified. "We feel caught in the middle of two big powers fighting."

Jim Lynch, associate director of the Office of International Students, told the students that the executive order gives more benefits to more Chinese.

"Where you are today is probably a better position than yesterday," Lynch said.

"Whether or not we get the same benefits, with this override, the U.S. has sent Beijing the message that they can be intimidated," said another Chinese student who also asked not to be identified.

"Maybe this gives us more benefits but it definitely gives China the wrong message," Bai said.

"It seems President Bush has made this a partisan issue. We didn't want to see this happen but unfortunately it has happened," said Weiqiang Li, a Chinese student at the University.

"We've been lobbying very hard to get an override. I thought we worked harder," added Li who questioned whether the executive order is better.

"If we can get the same benefits from the president's directive we will be happy. If not we will work for something else," Li said. "But either way Bush is timid. He says he is a China expert. His intention is good but his consequence is not good," Li added.