RFA Condemns China's Barring of Journalist

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John Estrella 202 530 4900
Sarah Jackson-Han 202 530 4900

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 , 2008-Radio Free Asia (RFA) today condemned the
Chinese government's apparent denial of an entry visa to an
Olympic-credentialed RFA broadcaster and called on the International Olympic
Committee (IOC) to press Beijing to honor its pledge to hold the Games in an
atmosphere of openness.



"Twenty-four hours before the opening of the Olympic Games in Beijing, RFA
hasn't received an entry permit for our Tibetan service broadcaster, U.S.
citizen Dhondup Gonsar. We deplore this stonewalling by the Chinese
authorities," RFA president Libby Liu said.



They also stopped the Presidents press plane for three hours and stopped the
president for 30 minutes to check his baggage.



Burr