World Tibet Network News Wednesday, May 13, 1998

WASHINGTON, May 12 (AFP) - China has postponed a US congressional visit to Tibet, citing preparations for President Bill Clinton's upcoming summit in Beijing, a senior Republican legislator said Tuesday.

In a letter Monday to Representative Douglas Bereuter, a Republican from Nebraska, Chinese Ambassador Li Zhaoxing hoped "that your proposed visit to China be postponed until a time ... convenient to both sides."

Li's letter cited Clinton's planned state visit to China in late June and early July, according to a congressional source.

Bereuter, House Policy Chairman Christopher Cox of California, and several other legislators had planned to visit Beijing, Hong Kong, Tibet, and Nepal in July, according to one aide who asked not to be named.

In a statement, Cox -- a Republican and staunch China critic -- complained that Chinese President Jiang Zemin gave assurances during his visit here last year that a congressional delegation would be allowed to visit Tibet.