(LinkAsia: May 4, 2012)
Yul Kwon:
Here's Japanese broadcaster NHK with a report explaining who Chen Guangcheng is and how the Chinese government is responding to his escape.

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NHK World NEWSLINE
Airdate: May 2, 2012

Susumu Kojima, NHK World:
Civil rights activist Chen Guangcheng lost his sight as a child. He taught himself law and started campaigning for the disabled. He also spoke out against forced abortions under the government's one-child policy.

Chen was detained by police in 2006 and spent the next four years in prison. His ordeal continued after his release in 2010. The dissident was put under house arrest with his family in Shandong province.

Sources close to Chen say the dramatic escape happened on April 22nd. He is said to have broken out, climbing over the wall around his house. The sources say he managed to slip past the guards and arrived in Beijing four days later.

After the escape, Chen posted a video message on the internet. It is a direct appeal to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. He demands an investigation into his case. He says his house arrest is illegal and claims he and his family members have been beaten up.

Chen Guangcheng:
More than 10 men pushed my wife down to the floor and covered her with bedding, then repeatedly beat her for several hours.

Susumu Kojima:
On Wednesday, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson accused the US embassy of being deeply involved in Chen's case. Observers say that while the Chinese government wants to draw a line under the issue, public reaction could force it to make a stand against the US.

(Associated Press: 1216 PST, March 16, 2011) The American Embassy says the Justice Department has opened an investigation into the killings of two Pakistani men by a CIA contractor in Pakistan.

 

 

(Euronews: 0934 PST, March 7, 2011) Anti-government protesters in Bahrain have staged a peaceful demonstration outside the American embassy to demand the US cut its ties with the Gulf state's leadership. But, unlike last month's protests, which were met with a violent response by authorities, the activists in Manama were offered doughnuts by U.S. staff.