U.S. protests Chinese television edit of Powell interview

By Elise Labott
CNN State Department Producer

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The State Department is protesting a decision by Chinese television to cut out a section of an interview with Secretary Colin Powell, after agreeing to air the interview in full.

Acting State Department spokesman Charles Hunter said Monday that "the decision not to broadcast the full message was counterproductive."

RESOURCES Message Board: China

"We had a clear and explicit agreement with CCTV that the interview would be carried in its entirety," Hunter said. "They chose to renege on that agreement."

The U.S. Embassy in Beijing has launched a protest in response to the deleting of portions of the taped interview dealing with human rights and Taiwan. Hunter said the State Department plans to make another protest through Washington.

Hunter added that the United States' view is that the decision was made by the leadership in Beijing.

"It's a state television station so we believe that they speak with the full faith and credit of the Chinese government," he said.

In the deleted section of the interview, which amounted to approximately one-fifth of its total, Powell stood by U.S. criticism of China's human rights record -- although he did acknowledge some improvement over the last 20 years.

"There are areas where we believe ... you should continue to move forward with respect to the treatment of people with different religious beliefs, or different ways of practicing their faith," Powell said, according to a full transcript of the interview provided by the State Department.

"As your friend ... we think it is important for us to point out where improvements are appropriate -- rule of law, having standards with respect to international law and trying to meet those standards that are expected in the international community with respect to freedom of ... religion and various human rights," he said.

Powell compared China's human rights situation to the United States' battle against slavery, which the nation was able to overcome.

"As a black man 40 years ago, it would have been unthinkable for me to dream about becoming secretary of state. But here I am," he said. "So we have changed."

The edited interview, which, according to Hunter, aired Saturday while Powell was still in the country, failed to include a discussion of the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, which governs the U.S. supply of defensive weapons to Taiwan.

This year the Bush administration approved an enhanced arms package for sale to Taiwan, infuriating the Chinese government.

When asked if the U.S. position on Taiwan has changed, Powell cited the Taiwan's Relation Act and the three communiquis that subsequently followed the legislation.

The interview leaves a sore spot on what was considered a successful visit by Powell to China, after a period of tense U.S.-China relations.

"We know that the Chinese authorities' views on Taiwan and human rights differ from ours," Hunter said. "But we believe that the Chinese people are mature and sophisticated enough to hear both their own government's views and those of others who may disagree.

"We continue to convey to the Chinese government and the Chinese people our clear and unedited views on all issues that arise in U.S.-Chinese relations."