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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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Olympic Boycott Is a 'Cop-Out': Bush Adviser

Says skipping opening ceremony isn't effective protest against China

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(Newser) – The foreign dignitaries opting to skip the Beijing Olympics' opening ceremony are engaging in a "cop-out," said President Bush's national security adviser today. What's more, claimed Stephen Hadley, they're missing an opportunity to meaningfully pressure China via behind-the-scenes diplomacy—as the US is doing. Bush has said he doesn't "view the Olympics as a political event," the AP reports.

"It's a sporting event," said the president, who will be attending in support of American teams. "The whole issue of opening ceremonies is a non-issue," Hadley argued on national TV. Low-profile tactics like Bush's phone call to the Chinese president urging him to meet with the Dalai Lama's reps are better than "frontal confrontation."

French athletes say they want to be able to wear a badge marked 'For a better world' at the Beijing Olympics, in response to China's crackdown in Tibet.
French athletes say they want to be able to wear a badge marked 'For a better world' at the Beijing Olympics, in response to China's crackdown in Tibet.   (Associated Press)
National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley appears on
National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley appears on "Fox News Sunday" in Washington, Sunday, April 13, 2008.   (Associated Press)
A pro-Tibet demonstrator holds a placard during a protest in front of the Belgian International Olympic Committee building in Brussels, Wednesday April 9, 2008. Belgian officials say they want to give China until the end of May before seeking European Union consensus whether to boycott the opening ceremony of the...
A pro-Tibet demonstrator holds a placard during a protest in front of the Belgian International Olympic Committee building in Brussels, Wednesday April 9, 2008. Belgian officials say they want to give...   (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)
A San Francisco Police officer watches as Tibetan monks lead a march toward the Chinese Consulate in protest of China's Olympic torch in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 8, 2008. .
A San Francisco Police officer watches as Tibetan monks lead a march toward the Chinese Consulate in protest of China's Olympic torch in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 8, 2008. .   (Associated Press)
A Pro-Tibet demonstrator chants slogans during a protest in front of the Belgian International Olympic Committee building in Brussels, Wednesday April 9, 2008.
A Pro-Tibet demonstrator chants slogans during a protest in front of the Belgian International Olympic Committee building in Brussels, Wednesday April 9, 2008.   (Associated Press)
A pro-Tibet demonstrator chants slogans during a protest in front of the Belgian International Olympic Committee building in Brussels, Wednesday April 9, 2008.
A pro-Tibet demonstrator chants slogans during a protest in front of the Belgian International Olympic Committee building in Brussels, Wednesday April 9, 2008.   (Associated Press)
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