March 31, 2000 ---
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March 31, 2000 ---
Richard Gere, celebrity crusader for Tibet … Gere called on European Union countries to support the U.S. resolution and accused France of holding back due to economic interests in China.

Gere, asked whether he was opposed to Beijing’s entry into the Geneva-based WTO, replied; “Absolutely, no question about it.” All countries should be held to the same standards, he said.

“I thought it was a huge mistake in the U.S. when they were separated. I think it is one of the most shameful things that has happened in our government. That is one of the worst legacies that (President Bill) Clinton is going to hang around his neck.”

Chinese communist troops invaded Tibet in 1950 and the region’s leader, the Dalai Lama, fled into exile in India nine years later after an abortive bloody uprising against communist Chinese rule.