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Sarko Won't Boycott Beijing

French president confirms he's going to the games after all

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 9, 2008 9:26 AM CDT

(Newser) – Nicolas Sarkozy is backing off his threats to boycott the Beijing Olympics to protest China’s treatment of Tibet, the BBC reports. Sarkozy met with China’s president at the G8 summit, and now confirms that he will attend the opening ceremony. The French president said he made the decision after consulting other EU nations, since France currently holds the EU presidency.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, shakes hands with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao as they hold a bilateral meeting at the G8 summit in Toyako, Japan, Wednesday, July 9, 2008.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, shakes hands with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao as they hold a bilateral meeting at the G8 summit in Toyako, Japan, Wednesday, July 9, 2008.   (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, front, jogs on a golf course in Toyako, northern Japan Wednesday morning, July 9, 2008. Sarkozy is in Japan for G8 Summit.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, front, jogs on a golf course in Toyako, northern Japan Wednesday morning, July 9, 2008. Sarkozy is in Japan for G8 Summit.   (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
French President Nicholas Sarkozy, left, and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev smile as they attend a group photo session on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 in Toyako, Hokkaido, Japan.
French President Nicholas Sarkozy, left, and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev smile as they attend a group photo session on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 in Toyako, Hokkaido, Japan.   (AP Photo/RIA Novosti, Dmitry Astakhov, Presidential Press Service)
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Obama says he'd boycott
Associated Press

China triumphs over boycott
Globe and Mail

EU parliament president boycotting instead
Associated Press

 
China • European Union • Nicolas Sarkozy • 2008 Beijing Olympics • Hu Jintao • Olympic boycotts

 
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