Sarkozy threatens to boycott ceremony

Published on Saturday 5 April 2008 19:47

FRENCH President Nicolas Sarkozy has threatened to boycott the Olympic Games' opening ceremony unless China releases political prisoners and opens a dialogue with the Dalai Lama.

Human Rights Minister Rama Yade set out a list of conditions needed for Sarkozy to attend the ceremony on August 8.

She said the other conditions needed are an end to violence against the local population and light shed on the recent events in Tibet.

Gordon Brown, meanwhile, again ruled out a boycott of the Beijing Games yesterday. Speaking at the Progressive Governance Conference of international centre left leaders in Watford,

he said: "The Dalai Lama himself has said that he does not want to see a boycott of the Olympics and that is why I have said, as the host country for the 2012 Olympics that is coming up, that I will attend."

Yade said that Sarkozy would make his decision based on how the situation evolves.

In an interview with Le Monde, Yade said: "Three conditions are essential for him to attend: an end to violence against the population and the liberation of political prisoners; light shed on the events in Tibet; and the opening of a dialogue with the Dalai Lama.

"Without human rights, China will never be a true world power. We don't want to give lessons, but we are asking China to respect its commitments."

Sarkozy has said himself that he cannot rule out the possibility he might boycott the opening ceremony if China continues its crackdown in Tibet. Asked whether he supported a boycott, Sarkozy said he could "not close the door to any possibility".

Brown, however, has taken a different line.

He said yesterday: "Any violence in China is to be condemned and I do urge restraint all round," he said.