China in Emergency IOC (International Olympic Comittee) Meeting, Bush Urged to Boycott, “Free Tibet” Unfurls on Golden Gate
April 7, 2008
The International Olympic Committee has requested a special meeting with Beijing officials, home to this years 2008 Summer Olympics, in regards to the recent Olympic torch relay protests taking place worldwide. At this time, it is not noted what the meeting is for, other than to discuss what has been going on around the world as the Olympic torch nears.
In recent days, the torch has been extinguished 3 or 4 separate times by “Free Tibet’ Protesters who have vowed to follow the torch procession all the way to Beijing.
A movement is currently underway for a number of countries to perhaps Boycott the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremonies in protest to the recent treatment of Tibetans in China. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has become the latest International political figure to suggest such a boycott–while both Hillary Clinton and the US House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, have urged President George W. Bush to do the same.
Hillary Clinton, in a news release, had this to say:
“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. 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.I encourage the Chinese to take advantage of this moment as an
opportunity to live up to universal human aspirations of respect for
human rights and unity, ideals that the Olympic games have come to
represent.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.
In Related News:
Protesters unfurled “Free Tibet” flags on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco today. The protesters climbed a series of cables and unfurled the huge banners, while authorities were scrambling around trying to figure out how to get the protesters and the baners down. This comes just two days before the 2008 Olympic Torch is scheduled to make it’s only U.S. appearance before the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
At this point we can not speculate on what the meeting between the IOC and Beijing Olympic Committee officials is for. My only hope is that everyone will take a look at each side, and decide accordingly on how to continue. The protests are certainly hampering the Olympic Spirit and pushing politics to the forefront, while thousands of athletes are wondering what is going on. Many Olympic Torch bearers lives are being put into danger, each and every outing by the continued worldwide outrage, which some have suggested goes against both “the olympic spirit’ and the usually solemn Tibetan monks stance of peace and freedom. I don’t think China can force the issue closed, not now that it has sparked international outrage by citizens, as well as world leaders. The next few months will definately be interesting. What do you think? Comment below.
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Written by Jason A. Hendricks · Filed Under 2008 Beijing Olympics, Olympic Torch Relay |
“while thousands of athletes are wondering what is going on.”
- Perhaps they should learn a little about the world!