No Word On President Bush Boycotting Beijing Olympics
 Thursday, May 8th, 2008

It looks like I will not have to digest a scarf.  President George W. Bush has given no indication that he will boycott any part of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, despite an international cry for action.

In April, President Bush told ABC News, "I don't view the Olympics as a political event.  I view it as a sporting event...Every time I meet with the Chinese president - and I've met a lot with him - I bring up religious freedom and human rights.".

He has said he will be attending the Olympics, though no comment has been made specifically yet as to the opening ceremony.  German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown have all committed to boycotting at least the opening ceremonies of the Beiing event.

Senator Hillary Clinton is among those who have urged Bush to use the Olympics - historically meant to be a symbol of bringing "people together in peace to respect universal moral principles" (per the Games' official website) - to take a stand for the people of China, Darfur, and Tibet.  Sen. Clinton sent a letter to President Bush that stated "if the Chinese government is ever to treat its people with basic human rights, it must be sent a bold and clear message."

The Save Darfur Coalition reports that on Sunday, the Sudanese government bombed a Darfuri school, killing at least 13 people, including seven children.  (For China's link to Darfur, click here.)  There are 91 days until the Beijing Summer Olympics in August.

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