Basim sent me this: "The U.S. government and American media
are in an uproar over the plight of Chinese dissident Chen
Guangcheng. I, too, am shocked by Chinese state repression. What
kind of regime, after all, lets its dissidents call the U.S. congress and demand
meetings with the U.S. Secretary of State? Look at this:
Chen Guangcheng Phones
Congress, Requests 'Face-to-Face' Meeting with Clinton
"I want to meet with the Secretary
Clinton," Chen said over speakerphone as a translator conveyed his words in
English. "I hope I can get more help from her. I also want to thank her face to
face."
Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., said that Chen's
case "is not an anomaly" but "symptomatic of pervasive human rights abuses
committed by the Chinese government" against its own citizens. Wolf said he will
formally request a congressional review of all cable traffic, classified or
otherwise, that surrounded the negotiations for Chen to leave the embassy."
Do you think Obama would allow those
illegally held in Guantanamo to call friends, media outlets and government
officials of their home country and ask to be released? To petition to study
abroad? To request a meeting with the crown prince Nayif?"
