10B SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2008
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Big 12 Tournament play starts today
DIPLOMACY
Advocacy groups pressure to improve human rights
BY ARIEL DAVID
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ROME — The Beijing Olympics in August offer China the chance to improve its human rights record, Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen said Wednesday.
The United States, other nations
and advocacy groups have tried to use the attention and prestige associated with the Olympics to leverage internal change and diplomatic cooperation from China.
RAI state TV.
"It's a good opportunity for China to show that it has improved its regard for human rights," Zen said in an interview with Italy's
Zen, one of the most influential Roman Catholic leaders in Asia, added that he would like to see the Asian country become "one of the top nations that truly defend human rights and work for peace."
The U.S.State Department said
hoped the Holy See and China would soon enter a "new era" in their relations, reaching a deal to improve conditions for Catholics in the Asian country.
nation's official church.
Tuesday in its annual report on human rights practices around the world that China still has chronic human rights problems despite rapid economic growth.
Beijing's ties with the Vatican were broken in 1951 after the communists took power in China.
Zen, an outspoken champion of religious freedom who at times has drawn the irre of Beijing authorities, was in Rome for a meeting of Chinese bishops at the Vatican to discuss the problems of the Catholic Church in China.
Catholic clergy in China have at times been jailed and worship is allowed only in state-backed churches, which appoint their own bishops in defiance of the Vatican.
Millions of Chinese belong to unofficial congregations that are loyal to the pope and sometimes risk harassment.
"It's a good opportunity for China to show that it has improved its regard for human rights."
Pope Benedict XVI has made the improvement of often-tense relations with China a priority of his papacy, and he is keen on restoring diplomatic relations with Beijing.
He sent a special letter
But last year, a cleric well-regarded by the Vatican was installed as bishop of Beijing by China's state-controlled Church, a move seen as easing tensions between the Chinese government and the Holy See, which insists that the pope appoint bishops.
JOSEPH ZEN Hong Kong Cardinal
In the interview, Zen did not discuss the meeting but said he
to Catholics in China last year, praising the underground church there but also urging the faithful to reconcile with followers of the
MEN'S BASKETBALL Big 12 Tournament tests two coaches' friendship
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Beating a best pal is never much fun. Victory is certain to feel a bit hollow for whichever coach wins Thursday's Oklahoma State-Texas Tech matchup in the Big 12 Tournament.
Texas Tech's Pat Knight doubts whether Oklahoma State's Sean Sutton even remembers what ignited the tight, enduring friendship that bonds the two young coaches. It happened when Knight was playing for his famous father, Bob, at Indiana and not playing, in the eyes of opinionated Hoosier fans,
very well.
Sutton — something less than a superstar when he played for his own dad, Eddie Sutton — knew exactly how the younger Knight felt.
"It was a tough year for me," Knight said.
"Then I got a letter out of the blue, a couple-page letter from Sean talking about what he had to go through when he had to play for his dad at Kentucky, then transferring to Oklahoma State. I had known Sean, but that kind of took it to another level for a guy to out of the blue write me a letter. I don't even know if he remembers doing it. I just never forgot that."
The two stayed in touch and their friendship grew.
It's remarkable how closely their lives have paralleled. They were the sons of famous fathers, endured insults while playing for dear old dad, and each wound up in the Big 12 as his pop's assistant coach and designated successor.
When Eddie Sutton was involved in an alcohol-related accident during the 2005-06 season, Sean suddenly became a head coach sooner than he had planned.
Then last month, Pat Knight literally woke up to discover he was about to become the Red Raiders' head coach because his father was going to resign unexpectedly.
Associated Press
1