tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481330.post5677973497599204792..comments2023-10-24T11:05:25.288-04:00Comments on Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events: Sarkozy: Boycott can't be ruled out - Tuesday March 25, 2008 11:10AMMark Rauterkushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17157914569686528007noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481330.post-20649966289495824172008-03-25T12:15:00.000-04:002008-03-25T12:15:00.000-04:00Sarkozy: Boycott can't be ruled outFrench presiden...Sarkozy: Boycott can't be ruled out<BR/>French president may snub Oly opening ceremony<BR/>Posted: Tuesday March 25, 2008 11:10AM; Updated: Tuesday March 25, 2008 11:10AM<BR/>Print ThisE-mail ThisFree E-mail AlertsSave ThisMost PopularRSS Aggregators Facebook <BR/><BR/>PARIS (AP) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Tuesday that he cannot rule out the possibility he might boycott the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics if China continues its crackdown in Tibet.<BR/><BR/>Asked whether he supported a boycott, Sarkozy said he could "not close the door to any possibility." A spokesman for the president said Sarkozy was referring to a possible snub of the Aug. 8 opening ceremony.<BR/>ADVERTISEMENT<BR/><BR/>"Our Chinese friends must understand the worldwide concern that there is about the question of Tibet, and I will adapt my response to the evolutions in the situation that will come, I hope, as rapidly as possible," the president said during a visit with a military regiment in southwest France.<BR/><BR/>Sarkozy also said he had told Chinese President Hu Jintao of his concern, asking for restraint, dialogue and the end of violence in Tibet.<BR/><BR/>Sarkozy also disclosed contacts between his office and that of the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader.<BR/><BR/>"I have an envoy who spoke to the authorities who are closest to the Dalai Lama," Sarkozy said. "I want dialogue to begin, and I will gauge my response on the response that the Chinese authorities give."<BR/><BR/>Violent protests in Tibet, the most serious challenge in almost two decades to China's rule in the region, are forcing human rights campaigners to re-examine their approach to the Aug. 8-24 Olympic Games.<BR/><BR/>Sarkozy has come under increasing pressure to take a stance on the violence, especially after a Paris-based press freedom group, Reporters Without Borders, last week appealed for an opening ceremony boycott by heads of state and government, as well as royalty.<BR/><BR/>Copyright 2008 Associated PressAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com