Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
Tue Feb 14, 2012, 07:56 PM Feb 2012

Chinese blocked visit by U.S. religious freedom envoy, advocates say

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/chinese-blocked-visit-by-us-religious-freedom-envoy-advocates-say/2012/02/14/gIQAmvQxDR_story.html

By William Wan and Michelle Boorstein, Tuesday, February 14, 12:05 PM

Chinese officials denied a top State Department official a visa and refused to meet with her to discuss religious freedom issues days before this week’s high-profile visit by China’s vice president to Washington, according to rights advocates and others.

Suzan Johnson Cook, the U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, was scheduled to travel to China on Feb. 8, according to several religious freedom advocates who were invited to brief her ahead of the visit. But as the date drew near, Chinese leaders refused to grant her meetings with government officials.

They then cited her lack of meetings as a reason for denying her visa application, according to the advocates and a congressional aide were briefed on the situation but not authorized to talk about it.

The disclosure comes one day into the diplomatically sensitive visit by Xi Jinping — China’s presumptive next president — and during a week Obama administration officials hoped to use to improve tense U.S.-China relations.

more at link
Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Religion»Chinese blocked visit by ...