Pelosi urges Bush to get Cheek in to Games

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- U.S. House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., urged President George Bush to secure entry to China for gold medalist and Team Darfur co-founder Joey Cheek.

"The Chinese government's decision to bar Olympic gold medalist Joey Cheek from attending the Olympics because of his advocacy for Darfur is reprehensible," Pelosi said in a statement Wednesday. "This action by Beijing's leaders is part of an orchestrated campaign to deny entry to individuals because of their political views, beliefs, writings, association, religion and ethnicity."

China revoked the visa of Cheek, president and a co-founder of Team Darfur, an international coalition of athletes committed to raising awareness about and bringing an end to the crisis in Darfur, Sudan. He was scheduled to arrive in Beijing by the end of this week.

She called on Bush, who is attending the Games, to secure the entry of Cheek and other U.S. citizens barred from attending the Olympics "because of their beliefs, advocacy for the people of Darfur and human rights in China and Tibet."

"It is essential that President Bush show leadership in promoting democracy, freedom, and human rights during his visit to China."