US/CHINA/BURMA

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Friday April 23 5:13 PM ET 

U.S. Criticism of China Blocked

AP Photo
 
 
 
By GEIR MOULSON Associated Press Writer 

GENEVA (AP) - China blocked a U.S. attempt to censure its human rights
record today, but Cuba, Iran and Iraq were among nations criticized by the
53-nation U.N. Human Rights Commission.

The U.S. attempt to bring U.N. criticism against China suffered the same
fate as similar motions had for seven straight years since 1991. The
commission voted 22-17 in favor of a Chinese proposal to take no action on
the U.S. motion. Fourteen countries abstained.

The United States last year suspended its annual effort to criticize China
in favor of a policy of diplomacy and dialogue. Washington put forward a
motion this year following a sharp clampdown on dissent by Communist Party
leaders in recent months.

The motion, which welcomed China's efforts to develop its economy, expressed
concern at ``continuing reports of violations of human rights and
fundamental freedoms in China.''

It also deplored ``increased restrictions on the exercise of cultural,
religious and other freedoms of Tibetans.''

Harold Hongju Koh, assistant secretary of state, said the United States was
``deeply disappointed'' at the outcome, saying Washington had ``sponsored
the resolution as part of our principled, purposeful policy of engagement
with China.''

The Chinese delegation charged that the United States pushed its motion
purely out of domestic political concerns, and accused it of trying to
derail reform in China.

Cuba claimed a ``moral victory'' after a close commission vote of 21-20,
with 12 abstentions, to criticize its record.

Last year, the commission rejected a U.S. motion against Cuba for the first
time since 1991. This year, the United States took a back seat, and the
resolution was put forward by the Czech Republic and Poland.

Cuba has faced criticism over recent moves to punish dissidents the
government says back the U.S. embargo and other anti-Cuba policies.

In other voting, Iraq was condemned for ``all-pervasive repression and
oppression sustained by broad-based discrimination and widespread terror.''
No country supported Iraq, although 18 nations abstained.

Myanmar, also known as Burma, was condemned for a long list of rights
abuses, and Afghanistan and Sudan also were censured. Procedural wrangling
delayed action on Congo.

Iran was held under special scrutiny and was censured 23-16, with commission
members expressing particular concern over the country's high number of
executions.

The commission voted for the second time in two weeks to condemn Serb
repression in Kosovo. Russia was the only nation to oppose the motion, which
deplored ``grave, horrendous and ongoing war crimes.'' An earlier Russian
move to condemn rights violations throughout Yugoslavia, aimed at NATO
airstrikes, was voted down.

Nigeria was rewarded for its transition to civilian rule after years of
military dictatorship, which will be completed next month. The commission
agreed to drop the West African nation from its agenda. 



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