European Union Considers Olympic Opening Ceremony Boycott
http://voanews.com/english/2008-04-10-voa28.cfm
By Lisa Bryant
Paris
10 April 2008
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The European Parliament says it wants the 27 EU members to consider
boycotting the Beijing Olympics opening ceremonies if the Chinese
government does not resume talks with the Tibetan spiritual leader,
the Dalai Lama. From Paris, Lisa Bryant re****ts several European
leaders are already considering such a boycott.
The European Parliament approved a resolution calling for EU leaders
to consider not attending July's opening ceremonies of the Beijing
Olympics, if China does not restart talks with the Dalai Lama.
Like a number of other regions, the 27-member European Union has
voiced concern about China's human rights record and about its recent
crackdown against protests in Tibet. The EU parliament has no direct
say on the bloc's foreign policy, but can exert political pressure.
European concerns have also been raised by human rights groups and
ordinary citizens as seen with the chaotic Olympic torch ceremonies in
London, Paris and San Francisco this week that were marked by rowdy
protests.
Britain's PM Gordon Brown in front of 10 Downing Street, 19 Mar 2008
Wednesday, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced he would not
attend the opening Olympic ceremony in Beijing. French President
Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have also left the
door open for a possible boycott. Several prominent U.S. lawmakers
have urged President Bush to boycott the opening ceremony. White House
officials say Mr. Bush plans to go the games but they say it is too
early to provide his exact schedule.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso is expected to visit
China at the end of the month. He said Wednesday he would raise the
subject of Beijing's human rights record with Chinese authorities.
Mr. Barroso said he would speak frankly on behalf of the European
Union to the Chinese authorities about the Olympics and show the
contradiction between what he described as a celebration, with the
situation of repression and tensions.
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