China's president left this week for Latin America.

China's president left this week for Latin America.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- A couple whose son is being held in China are hoping for help from U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr.
Shawn Coursen, 28, is one of 24 military personnel being held by Chinese authorities after their surveillance plane made an emergency landing after a midair collision with a Chinese fighter jet.
His parents, James and Susan Coursen of Warren Avenue, received a call Monday morning from the Navy telling them the news.
They've been waiting for updates. Mrs. Coursen said the couple heard from Traficant's office Wednesday.
"He said he's working on it and that he would call back," she said.
Shawn Coursen joined the Navy 11 years ago. He is a code decipherer.
Concerns: Mrs. Coursen said she and her husband were encouraged by reports earlier this week that U.S. diplomats were able to see and talk to the service men and women Tuesday. The diplomats reported the Americans are in good health.
"We feel a little bit better about that," Mrs. Coursen said.
But Chinese authorities denied the officials a second visit Wednesday. The couple also was concerned about Chinese President Jiang Zemin's leaving this week on a 12-day tour of Latin America.
"That's a little scary," she said. "It seems like if there's going to be talks about a resolution he [the Chinese president] should be there."
Government responses: Chinese authorities have blamed the United States for the incident and demanded an apology. The White House doesn't plan an apology, but U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said America regrets the loss of the Chinese pilot who parachuted out of the fighter jet after the collision and is presumed dead.