International festival artists denied visas

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (AP) -- Almost 80 percent of 300 foreign artists invited to attend an international youth conference in Bountiful have been denied travel visas.

Officials from the International Organization of Folk Art say despite their repeated attempts -- including letters from Utah's Republican U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch -- just 65 of the 300 invited artists have obtained visas.

The first-ever youth conference is being held in conjunction with this week's 20th Annual Bountiful-Davis Summerfest International.

David Donahue, spokesman for the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the State Department, says the department recognizes the importance of cultural exchange. However, Donahue says U.S. law presumes a visa applicant won't return to his or her home country.

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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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