Clinton Wants Bush To Boycott Olympic Opening Ceremonies

WASHINGTON — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton on Monday called on President Bush to boycott the opening ceremonies for the Olympic games in Beijing, a fresh sign that politics, not sports, may take center stage at the summer games.

The Democratic presidential candidate said a boycott would underscore U.S. concerns about recent unrest in Tibet and questions about China's relationship with Sudan.

"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," she said, charging the Bush administration "has been wrong to downplay human rights in its policy towards China."

She said Bush should not plan on attending the ceremonies "absent major changes by the Chinese government."

Her rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Barack Obama, recently said he was conflicted about whether the U.S. should fully participate.

Bush has said he will attend the Olympics because it is a sporting event, not a political event.

White House spokesman Tony Fratto told reporters Monday that Bush's position had not changed, nor had the administration's concerns about China's human rights record.

"We have never been afraid to express those views either directly by the president or the president's senior advisers when they travel to China and publicly," Fratto said.

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Obama issued a statement late Monday saying he has been "deeply disturbed by the recent events in Tibet, and have communicated my concerns in public and to President Bush," adding that if China does not take quick steps to respect rights and freedoms in Tibet, "there should be consequences."

The political debate over China's hosting role is rapidly overtaking the sports-themed torch ceremonies around the globe.

In Paris on Monday, organizers canceled the final leg of the traditional torch run through the city. In the face of chaotic protests and repeated attempts to douse the torch, organizers snuffed out the flame and put the torch aboard a bus in a humiliating concession to protesters decrying China's human rights record.

At least two activists got almost an arm's length away before they were seized by police. Another protester threw water at the torch but failed to put it out before being taken away.

The disturbances in Paris followed similar efforts in London on Sunday, where the torch was run through another gauntlet of protesters.

Clinton's announcement comes as her campaign tries to recover from jettisoning its chief campaign strategist this weekend for his involvement with a U.S.-Colombia free trade deal she opposes.

Rival Obama said in a TV interview earlier this month that he was "of two minds" when it came to full U.S. participation in the Olympics.

"On the one hand, I think that what has happened in Tibet, China's support for the Sudanese government in Darfur, is a real problem," he said, before adding: "I am hesitant to make the Olympics a site of political protest because I think it's partly about bringing the world together."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, among other U.S. lawmakers, has suggested Bush should consider staying away from the opening ceremonies following China's crackdown on protesters in Tibet.

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Associated Press writer Deb Riechmann contributed to this report.

Comments

[isis]

She is showing some spunk. Good idea Hillary and I for one will not be watching the Olympics.

[KoreanVet]

Let me get this straight, Hillary wants Bush the WAR CRIMINAL to skip the opening ceremony of the Olympics to be held in China and you support this stance. With Hillary's help our government invaded Iraq under false pretenses and currently occupy Iraq. Iraq was a sovereign nation that did absolutely nothing to the United States. There has been over FOUR thousand dead U.S. Military personnel, over THIRTY thousand wounded and HUNDREDS of thousands of Iraqi's dead and wounded. Actually the Chinese should not invite Bush nor Hillary.

[lily]

I agree with Hillay and if Obama took this stance, his supporters would be falling all over themselves to agree with it too.

[Dave01]

Wrong. I wouldn't fall all over it. I don't believe that any form of boycott is justified. Us or simply Bush boycotting the opening ceremony is nothing. Do you really think the people of China respects him OR us? Hell no. The only person that this benefits is Hillary.

As far as I'm concerned the only thing that justifies a boycott would be those of security threats.

I also think the most effective form of protest in regards to China is one, STOP buying products made in China which means STOP shopping at Walmart! And two, if you really want to protest China, do so by banning their involvment in any events that take place here in the US until they start extending our desired human rights standards to their citizens.

[SignifyingMonkey]

Oh right! And Hillary is so concerned about human rights she's sponsoring a bill to impeach Bush. NOT!!!

[sneener2000]

Oh right! And Barack is so concerned about human rights he's sponsoring a bill to impeach Bush. NOT!!!

[jonesgen57]

America and every country in the world that values Liberty need to keep the pressure on China against China's imperialist occupation of Tibet. The Communist Chinese should never be allowed to think that the rest of the world believes they own Tibet, because they do not.

I question Hillary's sincerity about this. Don't forget that Bill as president was afraid to be seen with the Dalai Lama, would not meet with him personally and made Al Gore meet him in some anteroom. Too afraid of what China would think and do if pictures got out of Bill with the Dalai Lama. I doubt Hillary would have the courage to boycott the Olympics if she were president.

Wasn't Bill the one who got us going into financial indebtedness to China with trade agreements that grossly favored China over our own workers? I'd like to see more about the Clinton's connections with the Chinese government and businesses.

Despite the apparent hypocrisy, due to America's own transgressions, I think we must not be afraid to push back on China over Tibet and their other brutalities. If we are too afraid to speak and act against them now in merely symbolic ways, doesn't that mean that China is already controlling us?

People say we shouldn't politicize this, but why is China running the torch through so many countries, especially Tibet and over the Himalayas? I think their message to us is "we own you."

[craneman]

OH YEAH RIGHT, BUSH IS GOING YO UPSET HIS CHINESE HANDLERS? tHAT'L BE A HOT DAY IN SIBERIA!

[Kungfublood]

Sure why not tell Bush to be a torturing cluster bombing hypocritical mass murdering war criminal but as long as she wants to play that card, lets just see how much of her own investments are in china first?

[Meggie]

not sure that this will help with the Penn problem, Hil. I think that the American people care more about where you REALLY stand on trade deals than they do about if Bush takes a trip to Beijing.
First you tell the Canadians that you don't really mean the BS you're dishing to Ohio voters, then you're caught with an active top trade deal lobbyist for Columbia on the payroll.
Actions do mean more than words, right?

[gg3]

PEOPLE PEOPLE This is a problem we have within the dem party. What is this article about? CHINA and its disgusting practices. NOT about who should win the nom. Lets focus for once on the issue. Should our country Boycott or not? I for one SAY YES. It will send a powerful message without actually going to war with another country. We all know the long list of things this country has done wrong preparing for this event and I will not be tuning in. I feel for the athletes (being one myself) some have already decided to not participat­e..but the Olympic committee should have made a better decision. We are not at fault if we choose to boycott they are at fault for poor decision making.

[KPinSEA]

I think boycotting Chinese products, including Olympics souvenirs and the broadcast itself, is a matter of individual conscience for any citizen, and goes far beyond Tibet issues.

But should it be a declared government policy? No, what kind of hypocritical chuckleheads do we look like scolding the Chinese for beating up a few monks on their border while we're bombing Iraqi and Afghani families on the other side of the planet from us?

[SignifyingMonkey]

Verily I say unto you, before attempting to remove the splinter from your neighbor's eye, at first remove the Bush from your own.

[maozer1]

Absolutely, these games should be boycotted, but by the athletes. These individuals have trained and devoted their lives to reach this point in their sport. For them not to participate would send a louder and more important message to the world than any politician's non attendance. Granted, it would be a terrible disappointment to them and they would have to put their aspiration to compete on hold for 4 years, but the impact of their action could not be ignored.

[globality]

Wha a sham. The Clintons received donation from Chinese Government operatives Trie and Hsu

Bill did more for China than anybody. (what is good for Walmart ids good for the USA)

Google Hsu AND clinton

trie AND Clinton

Most of the players of this scandal have fled to China to avoid prosecution. Bags with 100$ bills from chinatown waiters in New York giving the maximum 2300$ were give by hsu to Hillary Clinton's campaign



www.clintonscandals2008.com

[sef2121]

Go to Human Rights Watch and search "Hillary Clinton." Six pages of postings come up from her Senate and First Lady days. She has been out there on some very important and controversial issues.

Then try Obama, you get one hit, from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on which he is the most absent member.

www.hrw.org - they do some of the most important work in the world.

[Bharatbhangi]

Can you remind us where she was during the Rwanda genocide? Maybe we can rewrite some history here as well and state that she was encouraging Bill to intervene. Just like she was opposing NAFTA, right?

[sef2121]

Sure, she and Bill were taking advice from Anthony Lake and Susan Rice, both now Obama advisors, both against intervening in Rwanda because of "public opinion." Both aided in creating Clinton's largest regret in his foreign policy during two terms.

[KPinSEA]

So, that website turns up more hits that mention a two-term First Lady's international visits (which describes the first 5 hits I saw with that search) than for an Illinois senator?

Shocking.

[Bharatbhangi]

I recall Bill Clinton when running for President against Bush Sr. chided him for "coddling dictators" when criticising him for his lack of action against China after the Tianamen massacre. He was also against granting China most favored nation status on trade. But when he became President one of his first actions was to grant China permanent MFN status. I had to look hard to find an instance of Clinton hypocricy but there you have it.....

[SteveZorro]

Funny how she insists that someone else take a stand. Hey Miss Poke, why don't you introduce a Senate Resolution demanding the boycott and then campaign for it? Too much 'leadership' for ya?

[sneener2000]

Funny how he insists that someone else take a stand. Hey Mr Poke, why don't you introduce a Senate Resolution demanding the boycott and then campaign for it? Too much 'leadership' for ya?

[Disparaged]

The important thing to remember here is that "BUSH IS REALLY GOING TO LISTEN TO ANYTHING HRC HAS TO SAY! " I don't think so!!!!!! It ain't happenin!!!!!

[vietveter]

President Bush has said he will attend the Olympics because it is a sporting event, not a political event.

That is the same justification he uses for going to work.

Bush listens/kn­ows/says..­..........­. nothing.

[CindyKay]

So just Avoid the Opening Ceremonies HuH!
No Way , I say Don't Go At All. Boycott The Olympics !
Another Half A**ed Comment By a Half A**ed Candidate like McHillBush !
Pennsylvania should Boycott McHillBush in the Primaries & End Her Candidacy!!!

[Photofarm]

Jimmy Carter Foreign policy, only thing that happens is the United States shoots itself in the foot.

Hillary plan is not supported by history.

[CindyKay]

Most of what she has been saying is not supported by Facts , History or Logic !

[KPinSEA]

So in your vision of history, the Russians ultimately WON in Afghanistan?

[KPinSEA]

Am I the only one who thinks Bill is on the phone to Hillary sometime today saying "A little more about the outrageous treatment of those monks and a little less about criminal failure to intervene in an African crisis, okay honey?"