DATE= 4/15/02

TYPE= CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= HONG KONG/ HARRY WU

NUMBER=2-288720

BYLINE= KATHERINE MARIA

DATELINE= HONG KONG

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-S citizen and convicted Chinese dissident Harry Wu was barred from entering Hong Kong late Sunday. He was held at the airport overnight before being put on a plane to Tokyo. As Katherine Maria reports from Hong Kong, human rights watchdogs and some Hong Kong politicians say the denial of entry is politically motivated.

TEXT:

Chinese American Harry Wu never made it out of the airport. He was detained and on Monday put on a flight to Tokyo.

Hong Kong officials made no comment beyond saying they acted for security reasons. The U-S consulate here has asked the immigration authorities for an explanation.

U-S citizens usually enjoy visa-free travel to the territory.

Paul Harris a spokesman with Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor says the refusal of entry was politically motivated.

///HARRIS ACT///

Human Rights Monitor is very shocked and concerned about this refusal. Harry Wu is a very distinguished expert on the labor camp system (in China). He is someone with whom we would like the opportunity to exchange ideas. We regard this as a serious infringement of our freedom of association.

///END ACT///

Mr. Wu, who was born in China, spent 19 years in Chinese labor camps and became a vocal critic of conditions in Chinese prisons. (Signed)

NEB/KM/MAR