Rev. Jackson Offers To Go to China

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.''

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2001

Answers

Jesse Jackass seems to have forgotten the Chinese government is athiest...

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2001

let him borrow an EP-3, show up unannounced.

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2001

Lessee, who else are we anxious to provide a one-way ticket to?? Of course, Jackson just might totally confuse the Chinese (like the story, Ransom of Red Chief).

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2001

Let him go, and then revoke his passport.

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2001

Besides being atheist, I believe the Chinese are as racist as the Japanese. Jackson probably knows this and knows the US government dare not mention it at this point. He likes his little games.

-- Anonymous, April 10, 2001