Clinton calls on Bush to boycott Olympic ceremony
President George W Bush should boycott the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games this summer, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said today.
The former first lady said the US president should not attend the ceremony in Beijing unless there are “major changes by the Chinese government”.
The 60-year-old New York senator urged the Chinese authorities to “live up to universal human aspirations of respect for human rights and unity” and added that Americans would “stand strong in support of freedom of religious and political expression and human rights”.
In a statement released to reporters, Mrs Clinton said: “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.
“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.”
