31.   The announcement came on the same day that Lee was given a visa to travel to the United States.

32.   The lawmakers have asked the German Foreign Ministry to refuse to give entry visas to the Nigerians because of human rights violations by the Nigerian military government.

33.   The visas are normally given free to people persecuted for political or religious beliefs or to those reuniting with families.

34.   Under normal circumstances, Bangladesh gives visas to foreign tourists on arrival at Dhaka airport to encourage investment and tourism.

35.   Uganda also refused to give visas to Sudanese tennis players who wanted to take part in a tournament in Uganda, the official Sudanese News Agency said.

36.   A Downing Street spokesman said Monday the US government had given no formal indication to London it was prepared to give visas to Sinn Fein officials.

37.   Amidst intense lobbying by China, the Japanese foreign ministry gave a visa to the Dalai Lama on condition that he refrain from discussing political questions.

38.   Beijing has twice summoned the Japanese ambassador to explicitly request Tokyo not to give a visa to the Taiwanese officials.

39.   Egypt has protested to Britain over the meeting and asked the British embassy not to give visas to Egyptian Islamists who want to take part.

40.   The president twice allowed visas to be given to Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, over vehement objections from London.