http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/0421hu-protester0421.html
Protester disrupts Hu arrival ceremony
Terence Hunt Associated Press Apr. 21, 2006 12:00 AM
WASHINGTON - In a surprise outburst that cast a diplomatic shadow, a screaming protester confronted President Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao and interrupted the welcoming ceremony on the White House lawn Thursday. Bush later apologized to the Chinese leader.
"President Bush, stop him from killing!" the woman shouted, to the surprise of hundreds of guests spread across the lawn on a sunny, warm day. "President Bush, stop him from persecuting the Falun Gong! (a banned religious movement in China)."
Standing beside Bush, Hu had just begun his opening remarks when the woman started yelling in Chinese and English. Bush leaned over and whispered to Hu, "You're OK," indicating the Chinese leader should proceed. Hu, who had paused briefly, resumed speaking even though the woman kept screaming for several minutes before security officers forcibly removed her.
The woman had obtained temporary press credentials as a reporter for a Falun Gong newspaper and positioned herself on a camera stand in front of the two leaders. A cameraman tried to put his hand over her mouth before uniformed Secret Service officers hustled her away.
The Secret Service identified the protester as Wenyi Wang, 47. Secret Service spokesman Jim Mackin said she had been charged with disorderly conduct and that a charge of intimidating or disrupting foreign officials also was being considered.
"She went through all appropriate levels of security to include metal detectors and security protocols," said Jonathan Cherry, a Secret Service spokesman. Everyone who enters the White House grounds walks through a metal detector.
Mackin said she had gained access to the event with a temporary White House press pass after applying through the National Security Council press office as a reporter for the Falun Gong-affiliated newspaper, the Epoch Times.
Outside the White House gates, hundreds of banner-waving protesters loudly demonstrated against Hu's visit. The clamor could be heard faintly during an elaborate lunch Bush gave in Hu's honor.
Chinese leaders place high importance on protocol and symbolism, and Bush moved promptly to deal with the protest on the lawn. Once they reached the Oval Office, Bush apologized to his guest.
"He just said this was unfortunate and I'm sorry it happened," said Dennis Wilder, acting senior director for Asian affairs on the National Security Council staff.
Hu was gracious in accepting Bush's apology, Wilder said. The two leaders moved on in their talks, and it was not mentioned again in several hours of meetings. In what the White House described as a sign of their friendship, Hu and Bush sat next to each other at the luncheon, a departure from traditional protocol that would have them at different tables.
The Web sites of the state-run China Central Television and the official Xinhua news agency made no mention of the protest.
NSC spokesman Frederick Jones said the Epoch Times was a legitimate news organization.