21.   China also refused visas to women from Niger, because their government has diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

22.   Earlier this month, South Africa refused a visa to Sheik Ahmed Yassin, the founder and spiritual leader of Hamas.

23.   Earlier, Australian Immigration Minister Phillip Ruddock said visas had been refused to Adams and to a British historian, David Irving, who denies the Holocaust took place.

24.   Irving was twice refused a visa for his claims that the Holocaust was exaggerated.

25.   Kenya should have followed the example of other African nations in refusing visas to the Nigerian players, Kityu said.

26.   Last June, Lee was refused a visa by Washington to attend a class reunion, leading to a protest by some U.S. congressmen.

27.   Last year, tempers flared after Romanian soccer fans were refused visas to attend an important match in Paris.

28.   Lebanon refused visas to the Iraqi team, while Somalia and Comoros are not taking part.

29.   Lee was refused a visa last year, but one was granted this year over opposition from Beijing officials.

30.   Lee was refused a visa to attend a class reunion at Cornell last June.