Bush praises China’s Iran policy
Washington, 5 August (IranVNC)—En route to the Beijing Olympics, President George W. Bush praised China for its support of international efforts to stop nuclear proliferation, especially in dealing with North Korea and Iran, but was not as positive about China’s record on religious tolerance.
By: IranVNC
Published: Tuesday, August 05, 2008
12:48GMT—8:48AM/EST
BUSH – OLYMPICS – NUCLEAR – HUMAN RIGHTS
Washington, 5 August (IranVNC)—En route to the Beijing Olympics, President George W. Bush praised China for its support of international efforts to stop nuclear proliferation, especially in dealing with North Korea and Iran, but was not as positive about China’s record on religious tolerance.
In an interview with the Washington Post, President Bush said he planned to openly discuss human rights issues, especially religious freedom, with China’s president Hu Jin Tao – a major point of controversy for the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games.
“My main objective in my discussions on religious freedom is to remind this new generation of leadership that religion is not to be feared but welcomed into society,” Bush told the Washington Post. The president went on to express confidence that Hu Jin Tao “takes in” what he has to say on the issue.
Bush’s plan to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games has angered many human rights groups, which have called for a boycott of the Games over the Chinese government’s human rights record.
Bush will be in Beijing from 7 to 11 August, but will first stop in South Korea and Thailand.
Sources: Washington Post, White House website
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