Governor cancels trip because of back injury

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A back injury forced Gov. Frank Keating on Wednesday to cancel his participation in a trade mission to China, a spokesman said. <br><br>Phil Bacharach, deputy press secretary, said

Wednesday, November 28th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A back injury forced Gov. Frank Keating on Wednesday to cancel his participation in a trade mission to China, a spokesman said.

Phil Bacharach, deputy press secretary, said Keating was returning to Oklahoma City from Seattle, where he had been scheduled to leave for China as a member of a trade delegation sponsored by the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce.

Bacharach said Keating is suffering from back pain that began after a round of golf over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

He said doctors suggested bed rest for a damaged nerve but surgery was not believed to be necessary.

Howard Barnett, Keating's chief of staff, was returning to Oklahoma City with the governor.

A spokeswoman said more than 30 business leaders were taking part in the trade mission and it would continue, with visits to Lanzhou, Beijing and Shanghai.

Business and governmental meetings were planned. Delegates were to leave Shanghai for Los Angeles on Dec. 8.