Blacklist Battles.(U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom)

In a move expected to infuriate religious conservatives and human-rights advocates alike, the Bush administration has decided to reject the recommendation of a special government commission to place Saudi Arabia on a U.S. blacklist of countries that violate religious freedom. NEWSWEEK has learned that Secretary of State Colin Powell is expected to shortly release an annual list of "countries of particular concern"--a formal branding of nations the U.S. government concludes engage in "systemic, ongoing and egregious" violations of the rights of religious minorities. The Saudis won't be on it--despite the conclusion by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom that the Islamic nation is probably the world's worst oppressor of religious rights. "I'm appalled and disappointed," says Felice D. Gaer, the commission chair, about the decision. "But I'm not surprised."

This year's battle over the religious blacklist was being closely watched because members of Congress and an array of religious-conservative groups-- who have close ties to the White ...