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| Sarkozy threat to Olympic opening | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| French President Nicolas Sarkozy says he has not ruled out boycotting the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in China over the situation in Tibet. | |
| His aides said France was still opposed to a full boycott but that it might pull out of the opening ceremony in Beijing on 8 August. | |
| The recent unrest in Tibet has sparked worldwide concern. | |
| Olympics chief Jacques Rogge said last week he was "heartened" that no major government had backed a boycott. | Olympics chief Jacques Rogge said last week he was "heartened" that no major government had backed a boycott. |
| On Tuesday, the White House said US President George W Bush still planned to attend the opening of the Games, while the UK said Prime Minister Gordon Brown would still be going to the closing ceremony. | |
| Meeting request | Meeting request |
| When asked about a possible boycott on a visit to the south-western Pyrenees region, Mr Sarkozy said: "All options are open and I appeal to the Chinese leaders' sense of responsibility." | When asked about a possible boycott on a visit to the south-western Pyrenees region, Mr Sarkozy said: "All options are open and I appeal to the Chinese leaders' sense of responsibility." |
| He added: "I want a dialogue to start and I will step up my response according to the response given by the Chinese authorities." | He added: "I want a dialogue to start and I will step up my response according to the response given by the Chinese authorities." |
| Activists disrupted the Olympic torch lighting ceremony in Greece | |
| France's state TV network said it might boycott coverage of the Games if Beijing censored protests during the event. | |
| In Washington, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said: "Our position remains that we believe that the purpose of the Olympics is to let international athletes come together and showcase their talents." | |
| France and other Western nations have urged Beijing to enter into a dialogue with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. | France and other Western nations have urged Beijing to enter into a dialogue with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. |
| China says 19 people were killed by rioters and accuses the Dalai Lama of inciting the violence. | China says 19 people were killed by rioters and accuses the Dalai Lama of inciting the violence. |
| The Tibetan government-in-exile says at least 130 people have died in a crackdown by Chinese troops and deny any role in the protests. | The Tibetan government-in-exile says at least 130 people have died in a crackdown by Chinese troops and deny any role in the protests. |
| Robert Menard, the director of the media rights group Reporters Without Borders, said he had asked Mr Sarkozy for a meeting where he will press for a boycott of the opening ceremony, though not a boycott of sports events. | Robert Menard, the director of the media rights group Reporters Without Borders, said he had asked Mr Sarkozy for a meeting where he will press for a boycott of the opening ceremony, though not a boycott of sports events. |
| On Monday, pro-Tibetan activists disrupted the Olympic torch lighting ceremony in Greece. | On Monday, pro-Tibetan activists disrupted the Olympic torch lighting ceremony in Greece. |
| Campaigners broke through police lines and unfurled a Tibetan flag before being dragged away. | Campaigners broke through police lines and unfurled a Tibetan flag before being dragged away. |
| In his speech during the ceremony, Mr Rogge said the Olympic torch relay and the Games should take place in a peaceful environment. | In his speech during the ceremony, Mr Rogge said the Olympic torch relay and the Games should take place in a peaceful environment. |
| On Tuesday, the Chinese foreign ministry said any attempt to disrupt the torch relay for the Olympic Games was shameful. | On Tuesday, the Chinese foreign ministry said any attempt to disrupt the torch relay for the Olympic Games was shameful. |