As you may know, the recent violence in Tibet is causing some countries to seriously think about boycotting the Beijing Olympics. Tibetans are saying that as many as 80 people have been killed so far in clashes, while China - of course - says no one has died.In Europe, it's getting close to a boiling point. The German center-left paper Süddeutsche Zeitung even went so far as to call it a mistake to allow China to host the Games.
While no countries seem to be considering a full-on boycott, right now there's a suggestion gaining momentum in Europe for a mini-boycott of the Beijing Olympics by VIPs at the opening ceremony, as a way of embarrassing China.
France's outspoken foreign minister, former humanitarian campaigner Bernard Kouchner, said the idea "is interesting."
Kouchner said he wants to discuss it with other foreign ministers from the 27-nation European Union next week. His comments opened a crack in what until now had been solid opposition to a full boycott, a stance that Kouchner said remains the official government position.
As I'm sure you probably know as well, the United States hasn't even tried to push any buttons. Three days before the protests and violence erupted in Tibet, the US dropped China from its list of the world’s worst human rights violators, despite a State Department assessment that overall China's human rights record remained poor.
President Bush has also avoided talking directly about the issue as well. Back in February he made it clear that he'd be attending the Olympics as only a sports fan.
The interesting thing though is that the US seems to have forgotten its past history in regards to the letting the Olympics take place in China.
In 1993, the US House of Representatives urged the International Olympic Committee to reject Beijing's bid for the 2000 Summer Games because of China's "massive violations of human rights."
In a resolution passed, 287-99, the House strongly opposed allowing Beijing to be host to the Games and asked the I.O.C. "to find another, more suitable venue."
It urged the United States representative to the I.O.C. to vote against Beijing when the international committee's 94 members meet in Monte Carlo in September to select the host city for the 2000 Games.
Obviously times have changed, and with China on the verge of becoming a true world superpower, obviously some concessions have needed to be made.
But the recent protests and violence in Tibet provide a grim reminder for why we didn't want China to get the 2000 Games, and how not a lot has changed since.
I'm not calling for a boycott at all. I believe athletes should still have the right to compete. But I'd be disappointed if US officials and leaders remain silent on this issue as the Olympics approach. Remaining silent certainly isn't going to change anything.
more
