Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

December 2, 2008 5:47:24 AM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Olympic Boycott Is a 'Cop-Out': Bush Adviser

Posted Apr 13, 08 1:03 PM CDT in US,  Politics,  World 

(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."

Source Associated Press

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Bush: 'Deep Concerns' on Rights in China

    Aug 7, 08 8:19 AM CDT
    Bush: 'Deep Concerns' on Rights in China President Bush landed in Beijing today for the Olympics’ opening ceremony, but not before outlining his “deep concerns” about human rights in the Chinese regime. “America stands in firm opposition to China's detention of political dissidents, human-rights advocates, and religious activists,” Bush said in a speech in Bangkok hours before boarding the plane.
    More »

  • Bush Readies Salvo on China's Rights Record

    Aug 6, 08 4:08 PM CDT
    Bush Readies Salvo on China's Rights Record President Bush will urge the Chinese government toward greater openness and civil freedom, according to excerpts from a speech he’s scheduled give tomorrow in Thailand, the New York Times reports. Bush will keep his criticism mild, not wishing to use his visit to the Olympics to blast Beijing on its human-rights record—as some groups have wished. More »

  • Bush Meets 5 China Dissidents Ahead of Games

    Jul 30, 08 6:03 AM CDT
    Bush Meets 5 China Dissidents Ahead of Games President Bush welcomed five prominent Chinese dissidents to the White House yesterday, a week before he leaves for the Olympics. The invitation was one of several moves to intensify pressure on Beijing to respect human rights. Earlier in the day, Bush urged the Chinese foreign minister, who was meeting with national security adviser Stephen Hadley, to relax restrictions on individual freedoms.
    More »

  • Take That Bjork: China Bans Performers Deemed a Threat

    Jul 18, 08 9:35 AM CDT
    Take That Bjork: China Bans Performers Deemed a Threat Entertainers deemed a threat to China’s sovereignty will not be allowed to perform in the country, the New York Times reports. The Ministry of Culture warned it will conduct background checks and ban those who “advocate obscenity or feudalism and superstition” or "take part in activities that harm our nation’s sovereignty." The ban is the newest in a string of policies aimed at curbing political dissent prior to the Beijing Olympics in August. More »

  • 4 Months to Go: Is China Ready for Spotlight?

    Apr 13, 08 4:11 PM CDT
    4 Months to Go: Is China Ready for Spotlight? The last-minute drama brewing in the runup to this summer's Olympic Games is of a more global and more personal nature than the infrastructure issues of Olympics past—and Chinese leaders are bristling under the scrutiny, the Chicago Tribune reports. But pride in the country's hosting gig remains strong, even among the impoverished workers who could never afford a ticket. More »

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)
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. .   (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.   (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.   (Associated Press)
National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley appears on "Fox News Sunday" in Washington, Sunday, April 13, 2008.   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 3)

Tags

George W. Bush • China • 2008 Beijing Olympics • Tibet • human rights • Opening Ceremony • human rights abuse • Stephen Hadley


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »