While many nations of the world are considering boycotting the Olympic Games that are due to take place in Beijing, French President Nicholas Sarkozy said while he is a opposed to a complete boycott, he said that France may boycott the opening ceremony. So far, no major government has supported a boycott.
Jacques Rogge, the chief of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said that he was relieved of it. He had urged that the international community should not boycott the Olympics over what is going on in Tibet.
In addition, Sarkozy urged that China talk with the exiled Tibetan leader, His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama also urged talks with China. So far, China has refused. In addition, China vowed to crush all Tibet demonstrations.
Sarkozy answered in regards to a possibly boycott by saying: “All options are open and I appeal to the Chinese leaders’ sense of responsibility.”
While meeting Sarkozy in Paris, US Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain of Arizona said that the crackdown on Tibet was an unacceptable action taken by world power such as China.
Also, China may resort to barring all live televised broadcasts from Tiananmen Square for the duration of the games. China has tried to keep the politics and the games separate. However, it has been easier said than done.
Elie Wiesel along with 29 other Nobel laureates has given condemnation of China’s crackdown on Tibet.
US Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also gave criticism. She warned China that the world is looking over its shoulder.
The issue of Tibet is one of the factors that will possibly spell out a possible PR disaster for China as it hosts the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.