USIA - State Department Report, 97-06-26

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From: The United States Information Agency (USIA) Home Page at <http://www.usia.gov>

REPORT ON THE STATE DEPARTMENT NOON BRIEFING, JUNE 26, 1997

(China/Wei, Egypt/female mutilation, Mexico/visas) (590)

CHINA/WEI -- Dinger was asked to comment on reports that imprisoned democracy advocate Wei Jingsheng has been severely beaten by fellow inmates in an effort to get their own sentences reduced.

"We are gravely concerned, and we are seeking additional information" from the Chinese authorities," Dinger said. "We again call on China to release Wei Jingsheng and all others who have been imprisoned or detained for the peaceful expression of their political and religious views."

Wei was sentenced to 15 years in prison after taking part in Beijing's 1979 "Democracy Wall" movement. He was released briefly in 1993 and then was re- arrested and given his current sentence of 14 years.

Dinger noted that the U.S. relationship with China "cannot reach its full potential until China improves its human rights performance."

EGYPT/FEMALE MUTILATION -- The United States government is disappointed by the administrative court decision striking down the Egyptian government's ban on female genital mutilation, Dinger said.

"The United States strongly supported the decision by the Minister of Health and Population in July 1996 to ban this abhorrent practice," Dinger said. "The U.S. government will continue to urge an end to this form of violence against women. It has been widely condemned by international experts as damaging to both the physical and psychological health of women."

Dinger emphasized that the United States is not singling out Egypt for criticism. "Our position is worldwide on this issue," he said.

The practice of female genital mutilation is found among Muslims as well as some Christians in African, Middle Eastern and Asian countries.

MEXICO/VISAS -- Dinger was asked about reports that U.S. diplomats in Mexico have rejected a proposal to revoke the American visa of Manlio Fabio Beltrones, Governor of the Mexican state of Sonora, who reputedly is linked to major drug traffickers. (The New York Times international edition, June 26, "U.S. Officials Divided Over Mexican Governor Who's Reportedly Linked to Drug Trade," by Tim Golden and Julia Preston)

"It is no secret that Governor Beltrones' visa eligibility is under review in relation to allegations of connection to drug traffickers," Dinger said, but added that "We have not revoked Governor Beltrones' visa. Cases involving allegations like these are continually reviewed."

Dinger also addressed allegations made in the press that U.S. Ambassador to Mexico James R. Jones rejected reports from law enforcement and intelligence analysts that linked Beltrones to drug lords. The Ambassador is reported to be leaving his post this week to head the international division of Warnaco Group, Inc., a large multinational apparel company that has extensive operations in Mexico, including a brassiere manufacturing plant in Sonora.

"I want to make very clear," Dinger said, "that Ambassador Jones has done an outstanding job representing U.S. interests in Mexico -- that's one of our most important bilateral relationships."

Dinger pointed out that it is U.S. consular officers at U.S. posts overseas who have the sole authority to approve visa requests. "The consular officer has all matter of information available to him or her upon which to make the decision," Dinger said. The consular officer has not revoked the American visa of Beltrones, Dinger said, but added that "in any case like this, it is under continuous review depending on what new information may become available."

From the United States Information Agency (USIA) Home Page at http://www.usia.gov

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