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Sarkozy won't rule out opening ceremony boycott

Associated Press

Latest comment posted at 3:08 PM EST 25/03/08

French President says he could 'not close the door to any possibility' ...Read the full article

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  1. Larfing Outloud from Virgin Islands (British) writes: I've come around on this issue. I say let the athletes go, no sense in punishing them. Keep the politicians at home to deliver a real slap in the face to China. Let 'em parade a bunch of third-world nobodies around.
  2. Kenneth K. Seibel from Toronto, Ontario, Canada writes: I am actually in favour of a boycott of the opening games, but not just for Tibet. China's record on human rights is deplorable at best and they need a clear message from the international community. All countries who suscribe to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights should boycott the ceremonies.

    Further, their recent amazing economic success has been built on a set of standards so far below First World Nations that the dammage being done to the environment there will soon be affecting us all, if not put in check. Screw the Butterfly Effect - 1/6th of the world's population is being industrialized with out-dated technologies that are creating biohazards that are killing their lands ability to produce any usable crop and creating health problems that are leading to premature graves.

    Whether Tibet, Taiwan or mainland Chinese, the Chinese government has consistently put its own preservation ahead of basic needs of the people it is supposed to represent.
  3. Dani Ho from Toronto, Canada writes: I think this talk of boycotting of an Olympic games to be very polarizing and nothing more than rhetoric. You mean, just because a nation has a spotty track record with human rights, you're going to punish your athletes and cause a large diplomatic hole to a developing nation?

    Last time I checked, all the nations who even mention a 'boycott' have a sordid past with regards to human rights. France? Don't they treat foreigners (especially Algerians) like trash? Belgium has a great record 'colonizing' 3rd world countries to make them 'civilized'. Australia? Look at how they treat their Aboriginals! Talk about calling the kettle black!

    While I do not condone oppression of any people due to their (non-violent) beliefs, I do think it requires time for developing nations to catch up with the rest of the world. China is very big with political 'face' (ie pride) -- telling China what to do directly will not get you anywhere. You have to be subtle (ie diplomacy) about evoking change. I think non-Asian cultures have to realize this -- these cultural differences have to be accepted and used to get what you want. Bullying (and causing the host nation disgrace) won't help the situation.

    Believe it or not, there have been many changes to the way of life in China, before and after the Communists came to power after WWII. China doesn't want to become like Russia by opening up the floodgates of democracy / open market. Look how corrupt/lawless that place is (and see how Putin is doing to restore order). China is corrupt, but not nearly as corrupt as its former communist neighbour. And China doesn't want to become another Russia.
  4. Stephen P from Canada writes: I agree with a boycott of both the opening and closing ceremonies, and the boycotting by any and all politicians. The athletes have prepared years for this and they should compete. Boycotting the ceremonial aspects of the games sends a message about what sort of people we will and won't have social relations with, NOT that we're telling them how to live. As for the politicians, I personally don't want a nickel of my tax money paying for someone to go to China as a tourist.
  5. Joe Froze from Canada writes: A very interesting write-up: http://www.michaelparenti.org/Tibet.html
  6. Joe Froze from Canada writes: Good for you French fries! Boeing's sales team will march to Beijing to take up the cancelled orders of the hundreds Airbus
  7. job canada from Canada writes: WHY NOT? ON BEHALF OF THE TERRORISTS WHO MURDERED LIVES AND DESTROYED PROPERTIES.

    Globe and Mail, it's time to stop biased report. stop treating people like fools. only retarded will believe you.
  8. Joe Froze from Canada writes: Dani, I fully share your views. No need to worry about the small noices of boycotts which are politicians making use of the Tibetans' violent riots. Tibetans are indeed very naive. Another couple of weeks when there're other major news come onto the scene what left behind are scars and damages inside Tibet waiting to be healed.
  9. Joe Froze from Canada writes: Some of the twisted news reports here surely are to please its readers who are eager to see the fall of China. What some of these folks missing out is that any turmoil in China the whole world's economy and livlihood will be affected. Clothes, furniture, applicances, equipment, utensils........in skyrocketed price. Bush and all major leaders know well about this, thats why they have been so subtle in responding to Tibetans' violent riots. The leaders also understand that no matter how much Chinese dislike their govt's policies, separating the country's territory is by all means no comprimise, these also include the 60 -70 millions Chinese living outside of the mainland, including Chinese immigrants living in Asia, Americas and Europe

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