State Dept. reveals predecessors’ designations of freedom violators

http://www.abpnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3959&Itemid=53

As she has in the past, Rice waived sanctions against Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan. An independent federal panel charged with monitoring global religious freedom expressed dismay March 27 that Rice once again chose not to add any nations to the list and to issue the waivers.

“The commission is disappointed that Secretary Rice refused to designate any new countries and that waivers were granted for both Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia,” said Felice Gaer, chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, in a prepared statement. “Religious-freedom conditions in Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia are appalling and a specific U.S. government response is required.”

Rice formalized the designations Jan. 16 -- just four days before leaving office -- but did not make them public. According to the commission, they were only revealed after the panel sent an inquiry to Rice’s successor, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.