Escape from Beijing

The United States government must see to it that Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng and his family arrive safe and sound in New York as soon as possible. Only by enabling them to board a plane that takes off from China will the Obama administration bring to a satisfactory conclusion an episode that has verged on tragic farce.

Chen is a blind lawyer who has caused trouble for Beijing for years, mainly by exposing forced abortions and sterilizations.

Harassed, beaten and imprisoned by the communists, he was under house arrest when he daringly escaped and sought refuge in the U.S. Embassy two weeks ago.

Then, following a confused series of negotiations during which Chen received assurances from the American government that the Chinese had guaranteed his safety, he left the embassy for medical attention. Soon, those promises appeared to erode. Chen left the embassy expecting U.S. protection at a hospital. But it was not there.

He told supporters he had accepted the deal only after the Chinese threatened to beat his wife to death; the State Department denied the claim. Chen then said the Americans “were not proactive enough” in protecting him.

Had the Obama administration been played by the communists? On Friday, finally, a possible breakthrough — both face-saving and potentially live-saving — emerged.

In quick succession, Beijing said Chen could apply to study abroad. Then New York University came through with an offer to be a visiting scholar (and a big thanks to NYU for that). The State Department said China had agreed to approve any request for Chen to travel.

A great relief, should the promises this time pan out. China must swiftly issue exit papers for Chen and his family — and Washington must make sure they get on that plane in one piece.

The word of American officials, marred by this messy episode, must be trusted. Not only for Chen’s sake, but for the sake of dissidents the world over.