Rev. Jackson Offers To Go to China
April 10, 2001
Rev. Jackson Offers To Go to China
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 4:29 a.m. ET
CHICAGO (AP) -- The Rev. Jesse Jackson has offered to go to China to work for the
release of 24 U.S. servicemen and women.
``If a delegation appealing to the Chinese directly would help, we'd be willing to do that,''
Jackson told the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper. ``We've done it before, and each time
we were successful.''
Jackson, the leader of the Chicago-based Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, made the offer to
National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice a few days ago.
Jackson said he was not criticizing President Bush's efforts, but pointed to international
disputes he has successfully mediated, including helping free Americans in Syria, Iraq
and Yugoslavia.
``In each instance, we had to make a moral appeal,'' Jackson said. ``You do it in a way
that does honor to our country. Somehow, religious people can be a bridge.''
Jackson said he would not interfere with U.S. diplomatic efforts, but added that he
thought the United States should apologize for the collision of a U.S. spy plane and a
Chinese fighter that led to the present standoff between the two countries.
``I think our government should say: 'If we have violated you in any way, it was not
intentional and we apologize,''' Jackson said. ``Getting Americans home is worth
expressing an apology.''
Copyright 2001 The Associated Press |
