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Sarkozy keeps Olympic no-show option open

Reuters

Latest comment posted at 7:16 AM EDT 28/03/08

French President leaves open possibility of opening ceremony snub; British to attend ...Read the full article

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  1. Martyn Whitt from Canada writes: Given that he is a politician, that position is subject to change if he thinks NOT boycotting will be a decisive election issue. Way to stand up and take charge their PM...does the world have any real men with some integrity left?
  2. The Business from Canada writes: This is disappointing. While an actual boycott of the Games may not be the best route to go -- after all, you can bet some of the athletes will make public displays of disgust with the Chinese government -- there is real merit in boycotting the opening ceremonies.

    As voiced in today's NP editorial section, boycotting the opening ceremonies shows international displeasure at China's policies, and would prevent China from presenting itself as a legitimate member of the international community.

    From Darfur to Tibet to Taiwan, and to its support of North Korea, the Chinese government is deeply out of line. Canada, Britain and The States -- all previously leaders in championing human rights -- should step back up to the plate and send an unequivocal message about our complete disdain for the Chinese government.
  3. yo no from Canada writes: britian should boycott, why is the olympics in china anyways? its corrupt, communist, too far away, too much drama, move it to europe, south america, or another warm climate, china has too many issues and too many people, its crowded and busy there.
  4. Kevka Y. from London, Canada writes: The Business from Canada writes: This is disappointing. While an actual boycott of the Games may not be the best route to go -- after all, you can bet some of the athletes will make public displays of disgust with the Chinese government
    --------------------------
    For any country that boycotts the Olympics, its athletes will be angry with their own respective government, not at China.
  5. brokeback mountain from Canada writes: so, how do people in china show displeasure of the British(among other countries, such as france, italy, germany, jpan, etc) when they sold them opium over 100 yrs ago and made them give away HK for 100 yrs? and how about leaving the burden of looking after the vietname refugees in honk kong and making the people in hk pay for all the expenses and the UN never paid them back?
  6. brokeback mountain from Canada writes: "yo no from Canada writes: britian should boycott, why is the olympics in china anyways? its corrupt, communist, too far away, too much drama, move it to europe, south america, or another warm climate, china has too many issues and too many people, its crowded and busy there."

    Really, you think there is no corruption in Canada, the US or Europe?
    Communist? Canada is more like a communist country than China these days..
  7. Buddy Canada from Canada writes: It seems to be the fashionable option to assume a full boycott. I am not sure if most people realize the dependence most Western countries have in trading with China. I am all for a peaceful solution to Tibet but a boycott will not achieve that end. Only through keeping communication lines open with China can any solution be achieved. They do not take well to being insulted.
  8. Robert Boyd from Windsor, Canada writes: You must understand that Brown has more pressing matters.
    An example is his diligence in working to lose his Scottish accent ...to hear him now you would think he was born and raised in north London - of course it comes back to life when he has to head north to flim-flam the jocks at election time.

    "Martyn Whitt from Canada writes: Given that he is a politician, that position is subject to change if he thinks NOT boycotting ..."
  9. A Chinaman from Canada writes: If the situation is getting worse, Mr Brown would change his heart ...as well as Canada.
  10. Zando Lee from Vancouver, Canada writes: ....there's lots of lip service in support of the DL from the Western leaders....but in the final analysis....the Yuan is mightier than the Mandala....
  11. BiB AmomA from Canada writes: The Canadian athletes, if they had any conscience, would simply refuse to attend.

    No there is too much self glorification at stake. This is a time when selflessness is required. If I were an athlete, (I was once), I'd stay at home.

    The secular nature of the olympics, the exultation of the body is typified by China. Smash beliefs, exult the body... the soulless body. Run fast pumped up with drugs, and celebrate with hollow eyes.

    I am revolted by these olympics.

    Canadians are cowards.
  12. SN Dream from Canada writes: He probably think about boycott, then remember all the Hundreds of thousands of Iraqi killed and even this politician couldn't stand this sheer hypocrites himself .

    Oh, wait............. People wait think Free Iraq is a good thing.
  13. Ron MacGillivray from Flatbush, ab, Canada writes: Given the fact the last Olympic boycott in 1980 was over the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, China should do a preemptive strike and ban all those countries now occupying A'stan from participating in the games.
  14. Martyn Whitt from Canada writes: Brokeback mountain, the irony is that you have the freedom to make your comments in this country!
  15. SN Dream from Canada writes: Ron MacGillivray from Flatbush, ab, Canada writes: Given the fact the last Olympic boycott in 1980 was over the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, China should do a preemptive strike and ban all those countries now occupying A'stan from participating in the games.
    ---------------------------------------------
    I think you might have a point there. Hey, let's not stop there. Canada should boycott the 2010 Winter Olympic Games too. It's the only the right thing to do. Who host the 2010 Winter Olympic Games? Let's see.................. Oh, crap, never mind the boycott. People, DON"T boycott the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
  16. brokeback mountain from Canada writes: "Martyn Whitt from Canada writes: Brokeback mountain, the irony is that you have the freedom to make your comments in this country! "

    Are you suggesting you can't in China? that just shows how little you know about china! i would suggest that you learn some chinese and go read the chinese sites to find out really what's going on.
  17. Zando Lee from Vancouver, Canada writes: SN Dream from Canada...correct!! all this talk of boycott and Olympics has our Grodo very nervous....something like this in 20/10 could drive him to drink......
  18. Zando Lee from Vancouver, Canada writes: brokeback mountain from Canada ....speaking of freedom, the arrogance displayed by the Chinese ambassador's performance yeaterday was palpable....this type of bullying attitude does little to endear China to the World...advice to the Chinese.....don't push it...$hit happens....being stupid could spoil your coming out party.....
  19. Martyn Whitt from Canada writes: Brokeback Mountain: Well you could say what you feel in China I suppose, but you could also end up in prison.
  20. Cuban Cigar from Canada writes: Brown will not boycott opening ceremonies -

    So invading a country illegally, starting a war, causing chaos and deaths is OK? To side with human rights - that is a NO. Well, as long as we know where you stand, Brown.
  21. I am a Con from Canada writes: The Tibet problem can be solved if they simply lowered corporate tax rates.
  22. Simon Croswell from Toronto, Canada writes: Brown is a pig. Pigs belong in the pig pen. China is a pig pen of human rights abuse. Let Brown visit China because that's where he belongs.
  23. Robert Dryburgh from Winnipeg, Canada writes: I have no use for the Olympics and think the money be spent better spent elsewhere. That said, the games shouldn’t be used as a political football. World politics must not interfere with the goodwill and sportsmanship the Olympics are supposed to represent. The only losers here would be the athletes.
  24. brokeback mountain from Canada writes: "Martyn Whitt from Canada writes: Brokeback Mountain: Well you could say what you feel in China I suppose, but you could also end up in prison. "

    and this is worse than tasered to death for no reasons?
  25. aloysuis paczjoskteyochuk from Canada writes: China should simply cancel the Olympics.
  26. Rick Sieb from Edmonton, Canada writes: Boycotting the olympics is silly. It accomplishes nothing and they only hurt themselves.
  27. K A from Toronto, Canada writes: A Canadian boycott would be obscene.

    Why would we ask our young atheletes to pay a price that we're not willing to pay ourselves?

    Until we cease trading with China, we are hypocrites.
  28. steve allan from Welland, Ontario, Canada writes: Psychozy is a little man who is being led around by that creep Kouchner, the so-called humanitarian who is nothing more than a fraud. Psychozy knows nothing about international affairs, has never held a job in his life outside of politics. In that sense he resembles most right-wing politicians.
  29. William Muller from Canada writes: Brokeback Mountain, it's time you take your blinders off and look at reality. Do you really thinking checking Chinese websites gives you an insight into the real situation over there??? The web is heavily censored and even their journalists are muzzled. To get the real picture you have to check what international journalists have to say. Try www.rsf.org
    (Reporters without borders)
    By the way, if you find Canada more communist than China you must really love communism since you still live here...
  30. I am a Con from Canada writes: aloysuis paczjoskteyochuk from Canada writes: China should simply cancel the Olympics.

    They should go back to Greece...they were the last country to hold them and they did a good job.
  31. Robin Adams from Ottawa, Canada writes: Nice to know Gordon Brown is carrying on in Tony Blairs footsteps and supporting world wide tyrranny. In bed with neo-cons, in bed with fascists, communists... obviously to "new labour" it doesn't really matter.

    Some have posted why bother? That is why care about human rights at all be they overseeas or at home... Well, with very little imagination I can see you looking at murder in your own city streets and thinking the same thing. Why bother? Perhaps your ok with seeing crack sold to kids in high schools? Why bother? It kind of gives a whole new definition to "moral compass" and family values.

    So go for it Gordon. Enjoy your trip to China! Have fun at the ceremonies and take lots of pics. I think a picture of you shaking hands with Chinese mass murderers and an American president mass murderer will be a great shot to hang on the wall on Downing Street. Birds of a feather and all.. right old boy?
  32. hossein hajiagha from Victoria, Canada writes: F....The British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, how's care about this stupid tiff people, British have bad history of rub and stolen money oil antique from others country,from India to.... they supporting Iranian mullahs terrorist in Tehran...for oil , under ground contract with rafsanjani former president of Iran and some big Ayatollahs in Iran?????..and price of oil going up because of them British are having big contract on oil...I have information from inside of Iranian government this F....British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, supporting Mullahs to stay in power, F...them, canada also should became independent from this bad people ..why we should have pic of this ugly Queen over are money....or we have same stupid ssystem as they are....they are support terrorist and bad people not canada.
  33. hossein hajiagha from Victoria, Canada writes: I should add this comment also because we have information about Iranian mullahs and British government I give you some name here Mr, rafsanjani former of president of Iran this man order to kill the three writer and journalist also canadian Journalist and photographer Zahra Khazemei was order and kill by the same mulahs are friend to Brirish.... and journalist and Iranian politicians man with his wife at home...he send terrrorist to germany and French to kill some relative or friend of Shah of Iran or members of the Mojahedin khalgh whos are fighting with Iranian Mullahs to change regime...Ayatollahs systani, ayatollahs Khamenei, Ayatollahs lankerani, Ayatollahs yazdei, Ayatollahs vaez tabasi, Ayatollahs, Gelani, Ayatollahs, saneie, former intelegent ministry of Iran a man order and kill hounded and hundred Iranian and student in jail....so many are this guy now having private bank in England or Germany or in French and are relative , most of them living out of Iran because ..may one they if they ran from Iran they go to have safe place...ashamed in British government he should specks why they support Iranian terrorist Mullahs/
  34. Meng W. from Canada writes: Well, Sarkozy is a politician and as such he need to place himself in a position that gets the least criticisms. "keeping it open" is just another way of saying "I will consider your request", it dosn't take a genius to see which side he will really pick: Tibetan refugees or China.

    Then again, as a politician he probably won't make that choice obvious, probably some lip-service while signing another few billions in deals on his trip.
  35. Meng W. from Canada writes: " William Muller from Canada writes: Brokeback Mountain, it's time you take your blinders off and look at reality. Do you really thinking checking Chinese websites gives you an insight into the real situation over there??? The web is heavily censored and even their journalists are muzzled. To get the real picture you have to check what international journalists have to say. Try www.rsf.org
    (Reporters without borders)"

    HAHAHA, wow, that last sentense made my day, its like someone from China telling you "to get the real picture you ahve to check out state media"

    I don't think RSF even bother pretend to be unbiased, activist groups usually focus heavily on one sided propaganda, I wonder what made you think RSF was anywhere close to be a source of truth.
  36. D Yu from Canada writes: Sarkozy sent a wrong message and encourage more unrest: ".... to consider boycott if situation worsen...."

    What if I were the rebel Tibetan? I would certainly cause more riots to make the situation worse. So Sarkozy is putting more oil on the fire.

    If China say to review all French contracts (Airbus and engineering contracts) starting now, watch Sarkozy shut up right away.
  37. what ? from Canada writes: brokeback mountain from Canada writes:
    Are you suggesting you can't in China? that just shows how little you know about china! i would suggest that you learn some chinese and go read the chinese sites to find out really what's going on.
    --------------------------------------------------------
    I DID go to the Chinese sites and found out what you Chinese were talking about.

    You Chinese were, still are, calling names...using prohibited lanuages....saying China is the biggest and strongest country and every country, including the States, should be afraid of you. (God, I AM so scared.)

    You guys are boasting about how many rockets you have.

    http://cache.tianya.cn/publicforum/content/worldlook/1/172250.shtml
  38. Meng W. from Canada writes: "what ?", I think your name describes my reaction to your comment. And didn't Canadian propaganda say the article you linked would get the poster arrested in China?

    As for Airbus, I'm sure Boeing is secretly wishing Europe would do something stupid, the day I hear Europe is boycotting is the day I buy some shares in Boeing.

    G/M obviously dosn't have the courage to write anything other than picking copy and pasting AP stories that casts China in the worst light possible. Why don't G/M readers look at what Washington Post dare to report? Maybe a bit of reality rather than 80% opinion pieces?

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/26/AR2008032603275_2.html?sid=ST2008032603290
  39. H Chauhan from Toronto, Canada writes: Atheletes from all the countries should attend the Olympics. Not doing so would only disappoint and hurt them after working hard at practising for so long.

    Do not boycott the opening ceremonies either, let the Chinese people welcome the atheletes from all over the world. Just curtail the number of high ranking officials attending. These high officials normally attend to show solidarity with the host nation and for political purposes.

    China should be made to realize that Olympic spirit is alive and well as far as Games go but not for human and political relations.
  40. Eris Korenyx from The Heart of Hell, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya writes: I must be missing something ... What can a free society like France or Canada or Belgium do to stop an athlete from attending the games if he or she is willing to pay his or her own way to get there?
  41. Meng W. from Canada writes: Does no body reality the funny thing about the 4 days of peaceful protest before riots broke out? Let's see... hmm.. oh right, in the brutal communist dictatorship that is China that treats any dissent with the most violent method possible, how does a protest, peaceful or otherwise, lasted 4 days to start with? Furthermore, why would people start to riot after hearing some protesters were beaten, if, according to Canadian propaganda, beating protesters is a custom among Chinese police that the Tibetans shouldn't be at all surprised at?

    China just need to buy more Tazers from Canada, that's all.
  42. Ed Lewis from Sanityville, Canada writes: BOYCOTT THE OLYMPICS!!!!

    Lame-a$$ shills such as Meng W, Brokeback, D Yu, etc. need not respond or comment on this post - you are being ignored due to your overt stupidity.
  43. Ed Lewis from Sanityville, Canada writes:

    BOYCOTT THE OLYMPICS!!!!
  44. James C from Shenzhen, China writes: "SN Dream from Canada writes: He probably think about boycott, then remember all the Hundreds of thousands of Iraqi killed and even this politician couldn't stand this sheer hypocrites himself ."

    ---------

    france has no soldiers in iraq. explain how mr sarkozy would be a hyprocrite. i dont expect to hear back from you.

    "brokeback mountain from Canada writes: "Martyn Whitt from Canada writes: Brokeback mountain, the irony is that you have the freedom to make your comments in this country! "

    Are you suggesting you can't in China? that just shows how little you know about china! i would suggest that you learn some chinese and go read the chinese sites to find out really what's going on."

    ----------

    try to get beijing approval for a tibetan freedom parade on tian an men square. be sure to let us know your progress :-)
  45. Blue Nose from Canada writes: Eris - the country can do nothing. In 1980 the sole British athlete in Russia was Daley Thompson.
  46. James C from Shenzhen, China writes: you can have a (mostly) civilized debate on a variety of stories regarding almost anything on this website. but when it comes to tibet and china stories, the little kids come out to play. count me out in future, i dont need to waste my time here with most of you any longer.
  47. Robert Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Well done, Mr. Sarkozy!

    BOYCOTT CHINESE PRODUCTS, THE BEIJING OLYMPICS AND ITS SPONSORS !!!
  48. K Z from Canada writes: I will keep my peeping-into-his-wife's-nudity option open until his case is closed :)
  49. Robert Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: "Behind every scheme to make the world over, lies the question, "What kind of world do you want?"

    -Oliver Wendal Holmes
  50. Meng W. from Canada writes: Do you think personal attacks and shouting slogans gets your point across? You'll have better luck stabbing the next Chinese looking person on the street. Here's a hint: it makes you look like an idiot.

    The Politics section editor on National Post have finally shown her true stance on this blog of hers
    http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/posted/archive/2008/03/27/china-puts-its-faith-in-the-big-denial.aspx
    The irony is her article is the big denial that not even Canadians would believe. Her stupidity though isn't an issue until you realized she's the editor of a Canadian nationally circulated paper. Now perhaps you understand how Canadian propaganda system works and how people like Ed Lewis came about.

    I wish I can respond to someone but there seem to be a lack of intelligence sine my last post.
  51. The Bubble from Canada writes: I just saw a nice picture of his new wife in a purple dress thing in London and man is she hot. I'd probably risk the presidency of France for that she is really really sexy. She looks like the girl who used to do le Piat D'or commercials on tv...
  52. Globe Insider subscriber content
    John Stanton from Canada writes: I hope countries boycott the opening ceremony. It will take just one to ruin the thug Chinese parade er should I say facade. The Olympics is a sham anyhow. Full of thieves and people taking bribes.
  53. L Chen from Canada writes: Boycotting the opening ceremony is such woosy behavior. Be a man, President Bling Bling. Boycott the Olympics all together. I can't wait to buy shares of BA. Thanks Meng W for the great stock tip.
  54. Patrick Hu from Canada writes: I am so disappointed about Canadian media this time. Do our media have some journalists in China? All I saw was shallow copies without deep analysis. Let's see how top 3 US newspapers reported what on earth happened in Tibet. It is a shame for Canadian media that key witness they interviewed is a Canadian.

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/26/AR2008032603275.html

    http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/24/world/asia/24tibet.html?ref=asia

    http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/asia/la-fg-embattle27mar27,1,5630684.story?page=1

    http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/asia/la-fg-embattle27mar27,1,5630684.story?page=1
  55. Republic of Saturn from Canada writes:
    Chinese should cancel all invitation except for President Bush and Dearl Leader Kim xxxx(I don't know how to spell it).

    That will be very funny.
  56. Globe Insider subscriber content
    John Stanton from Canada writes: Patrick....how would it matter if there were reporters in China. They would/are prevented from reporting on the facts merely what the government wants them to see. It's laughable how people criticize a lack of the truth coming out of China.
  57. K Z from Canada writes: China would be better off if the flamboyant president and his sexy wife don't attend the Olympics. His wife would attract too much attention from sports so that the Olympics turn out to be a fashion show.
  58. Republic of Saturn from Canada writes:
    Regular Chinese don't konw anybody except Bush and Putin.......Save some time to introduce......

    For Chinese, only Russia and USA count, others are nobody.
  59. Robert Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: John Stanton:

    "It's laughable how people criticize a lack of truth coming out of China..."

    It's also laughable that those who are reponsible for the lack of truth coming out of China pretend to be posters on these G&M threads from Canada...

    Did I say posters -- I meant posers !!

    I still find it funny how some think that insulting Canadians will help their cause...

    I am predicting that more G8 leaders will be forced to follow Sarkozy's lead on this matter as the truth slowly but inevitably comes out...
  60. Poly Incorrect from Toronto, Canada writes: Interesting article: 1. Michael Parenti -- Friendly Feudalism: The Tibet Myth http://www.michaelparenti.org/Tibet.html http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=WWGGjpJJCKE&feature=related highlights: - Tibetan Buddhists were just as elitist, money-hungry, power-hungry, corrupt, criminal, oppressive, violent, torturous and exploitive as medieval Europe. - CIA helped Tibetans uprise against China in 1956-57. “Meanwhile in the US, the American Society for a Free Asia, a CIA-financed front, publicized the cause of Tibetan resistance, with the Dalai Lama’s eldest brother.” (This sounds very similar to what the CIA did to remove Guatemala’s President to support Chiquita Banana (see documentary called “A Coup made in America” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixxgeCrB1ic ) and to remove Panama’s Noriega. Is the CIA urging Tibet to uprise again? The U.S. has a stellar resume in trying to get another country’s people or military to revolt against their government: o Chile o Guatemala o Panama o Iraq (Shiites in 1991) o Venezuela (2004) With such a huge trade deficit, anything to make China weaker will make Lou Dobbs and Americans happy.) 2. National Geographic documentary -- Tibet: Inferno under Dalai Lama & aristoric rule http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2I2bvs3uZ4c&feature=related 3. http://videos.emule.com/play/chinese-truth-about-tibet-(FhkU8zDXHzY 4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSQnK5FcKas&feature=related (CIA fed propaganda to the media about Guatemala before starting the Coup. US government fed propaganda to the media about Iraq.) China should free Tibet. US should not have had the Civil War and let the South be independent. Canada, US, most South American countries, Australia and New Zealand should give back their countries to the natives as well. (There are still land disputes in Canada.) England should free Ireland and Scotland. If we don’t, we’re just hypocrites.
  61. Ed Lewis from Sanityville, Canada writes: BOYCOTT THE OLYMPICS!!! BOYCOTT CHINESE PRODUCTS!!!

    BOYCOTT MENG W.'s POSTS :)) !!!!

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