President Bush arrived in Japan today for a summit with other world leaders, and although the purpose of the summit is to discuss gas prices, climate change and aid to Africa, his first comments were about his decision to attend the Olympic opening ceremonies.
The New York Times reports:
"I view the Olympics as an opportunity for me to cheer on our athletes," Mr. Bush said, at a press conference in nearby Toyako, after the two leaders met privately. He said not going to the opening ceremony "would be an affront to the Chinese people" that might make it "more difficult to be able to speak frankly with the Chinese leadership."The leaders of Great Britain and Germany have said they'll skip the opening ceremonies to protest China's human rights abuses; the French president has been told he's not welcome because of his criticism of China. Japan's prime minister, however, seems to agree with Bush, saying, "Olympics are sports events. I don't think you have to really link Olympics with politics."
Getty Images photo caption: Protesters march from Lafayette Park near the White House to the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC, on March 31, 2008, to urge US President George W. Bush to cancel his plans to attend the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing because of the situation in Tibet.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-06-2008 @ 1:26PM
petejayhawk said...
Affront to the Chinese people? BS. We've never shown a damn bit of interest in the welfare of the Chinese people other than to make sure they're getting fully indoctrinated into the tenets of consumerism. The only thing a boycott would be an affront to is Sino-American economic interests. No more, no less.
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7-06-2008 @ 2:13PM
Sally G said...
I don't opften find myself in agreement woth President Bush, but in this instance I do. The IOC gave teh Olympics to China; from all reports, the Chinese see this as a chance to show off their new green facilities, and have virtully closed down Beijing to improve air quality so that endurance events can be held there. Their response to their earthquake was a far cry from that of Myanmar/Burma's government to its tphoon.
To snub China by refusing to attend the Olympics for internal issues is particularly wrong in Asia, where respect and its forms are so important. AFTER the Olympics is the time to ask that they further their inclusion into the world community with more progressive policies on human rights, more open politics, stronger clean-energy commitments. Now is the time to celebrate athletes from all over the world in a special time that sets aside partisan differences to compete as a global community.
U.S. media take note: I want to see coverage of athletes from all parts of the world, not only U.S. athletes. I want the human stories, like "Eddie the Eagle", as well as the record-setting winners from all nations.
Sally
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7-06-2008 @ 4:03PM
KJR said...
I'm trying to imagine President Bush having frank discussions with Chinese leadership.
President Bush: I'd like to give you some advice on civil rights in your country.
Chinese Leadership: Ha ha ha. Too funny. Too funny. Stop. You're making my sides split. You mean like ... separation of Church and State, Habeas Corpus, warrantless wiretaps, politicizing the judiciary, the unitary executive. Ha ha ha. Too funny. Too funny. Please enjoy your stay in China, and remember to grab yourself a handful of miniature umbrellas at the Duty Free on your way home.
President Bush: Well, how about if I give you some advice on the advantages of free-market capitalism?
Chinese Leadership: Oh stop! Too funny, too funny. We have a huge trade surplus, you have deficit. We are spending on our infrastructure, and growing at 10% per year. You are spending $500 billion in Iraq. Oh, Honorable Bushie, you are a practical joker. We love your sense of humor. Ha ha ha. Try the Peking Duck. Ha ha ha.
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7-06-2008 @ 5:44PM
Ryan said...
I agree with Sally-
China needs this exposure, hopefully it will lead to bigger and better things down the road- ruining it now would just lead to more chaos
http://www.collegefastbreak.com/for-the-sake-of-the-syracuse-free-throw-percentage/
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7-07-2008 @ 8:07PM
Martin said...
Bush is making the best choice in difficult circumstances. You must pick your battles. Usually, it is better to use gentle behind-the-scenes persuasion than to attempt to publicly humiliate your adversary.
Moreover, China is a major player in our attempts to deal with North Korea and Iran. Thus, snubbing China at a sporting event is likely to cause more, rather than less, suffering throughout the world.
As Jesse Owens proved, the best way to make your point is to win the gold. Go U.S.A.
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