DATE=8/24/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S / CHINA (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-253091
BYLINE=KYLE KING
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-S officials say they are encouraged by
indications that China will end its probe of an
American researcher and allow him to leave the country
for medical treatment. From the State Department, V-
O-A's Kyle King reports.
TEXT: Twenty nine year old Daja Meston has been
hospitalized in Western China since last week when he
apparently jumped from a third floor window trying to
escape from police.
Chinese authorities detained Mr. Meston and an
Australian researcher for what were described as
activities inconsistent with their tourist status.
The two men were in China to examine the impact a
controversial World Bank relocation project might have
on the local Tibetan population.
Chinese officials deported the Australian researcher,
but Mr. Meston's transfer to a hospital outside China
has been complicated by the fact that an investigation
of his activities has not been completed.
State Department spokesman James Foley says the United
States is now encouraged because China has promised to
allow Mr. Meston to be moved and to expedite the probe
of his activities.
/// FOLEY ACT ///
And that, at the end of the day, should permit
him to be moved to a specialized hospital, I'm
not sure where that will be, but if the case
against him is finished than I think the
implication is clear that it could be outside of
China.
/// END ACT ///
U-S officials say Mr. Meston's condition is serious
but stable, and they hope he can be moved soon.
Officials say they have no evidence to disprove
China's contention that he was injured in an escape
attempt.
Australian researcher Gabriel Lafitte, who was
expelled from China Saturday, says he and Mr. Meston
were not beaten by authorities, but came under severe
psychological pressure during their interrogation.
(Signed)
NEB/KBK/TVM/gm
24-Aug-1999 17:54 PM EDT (24-Aug-1999 2154 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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