Clinton Calls on Bush to Boycott Olympic Opening Ceremony [View all]

[KoKo]

This goes along with SC Rep Lindsey Graham calling for BOYCOTT of RUSSIAN Olympics for HARBORING...Edward Snowden in his request for Asylum.

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ABC News’ Eloise Harper Reports: Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., is calling on President George W. Bush to boycott the opening ceremony at the Olympics this summer.

First reported on the Drudge Report, Clinton’s call for a boycott specifically cites China’s reaction to recent violence in Tibet and inaction in Darfur.

"The violent clashes in Tibet and the failure of the Chinese government to use its full leverage with Sudan to stop the genocide in Darfur are opportunities for Presidential leadership," Clinton said in a written statement.

"These events underscore why I believe the Bush administration has been wrong to downplay human rights in its policy towards China. At this time, and in light of recent events, I believe President Bush should not plan on attending the opening ceremonies in Beijing, absent major changes by the Chinese government."

Set to begin on August 8, 2008, the Beijing Olympics have been surrounded by controversy ever since the International Olympic Committee awarded China the Games.

The harsh crackdown by the communist nation against recent protests in Tibet have only intensified calls for boycott.

Clinton did not call for an outright boycott of the Olympics in general, targeting only the Opening Ceremony.

"Americans will stand strong in support of freedom of religious and political expression and human rights. Americans will also stand strong and root for the success of American athletes who have worked hard and earned the right to compete in the Olympic Games of 2008," she said.

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced she will not attend the Olympic Games. Pelosi, meanwhile, has been outspoken in support of Tibet, the site of recent crackdowns on human rights demonstrators by the Chinese government.



http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2008/04/clinton-calls-o-2/