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Merkel says she will not attend opening of Beijing Olympics
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/mar/29/germany.olympicgames2008 ^

Posted on 03/29/2008 2:18:43 PM PDT by traumer

The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, yesterday became the first world leader to decide not to attend the Olympics in Beijing.

As pressure built for concerted western protests to China over the crackdown in Tibet, EU leaders prepared to discuss the crisis for the first time today, amid a rift over whether to boycott the Olympics.

The disclosure that Germany is to stay away from the games' opening ceremonies in August could encourage President Nicolas Sarkozy of France to join in a gesture of defiance and complicate Gordon Brown's determination to attend the Olympics.

Donald Tusk, Poland's prime minister, became the first EU head of government to announce a boycott on Thursday and he was promptly joined by President Václav Klaus of the Czech Republic, who had previously promised to travel to Beijing.

"The presence of politicians at the inauguration of the Olympics seems inappropriate," Tusk said. "I do not intend to take part."

(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Front Page News; Germany; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 2008olympics; boycott; china; merkel
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1 posted on 03/29/2008 2:18:44 PM PDT by traumer
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To: traumer
Hopefully, it will lead to President Bush taking the same principled stand. China does not deserve to be rewarded for its brutal repression of the Tibetans.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

2 posted on 03/29/2008 2:20:25 PM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: traumer

Not to worry. The leader of the Free World will be there, yukking it up with the Communists. Sickening.


3 posted on 03/29/2008 2:20:50 PM PDT by kittymyrib
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To: kittymyrib

Unfortunately true.
The last few American presidents have been so far up the backsides of both Mexico and china it makes one sick.


4 posted on 03/29/2008 2:25:47 PM PDT by Joe Boucher (An enemy of Islam)
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To: goldstategop

Unfortunately for President Bush, he HAS to attend. After all, the Chinese OWN us now.


5 posted on 03/29/2008 2:27:40 PM PDT by hkp123
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To: traumer

Likewise, I shall not attend.


6 posted on 03/29/2008 2:33:55 PM PDT by elhombrelibre (If you share Wright's pews, you share his views.)
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To: goldstategop
This is one time I would like for us to follow our European allies lead.
7 posted on 03/29/2008 2:38:51 PM PDT by Red Dog #1
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To: traumer

Well, that will certainly show them!


8 posted on 03/29/2008 2:40:56 PM PDT by bill1952 (I will vote for McCain if he resigns his Senate seat before this election.)
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To: Red Dog #1

Agreed.


9 posted on 03/29/2008 2:44:54 PM PDT by rdl6989
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To: traumer

Go Angie!!! Now how about George and Sarko.....


10 posted on 03/29/2008 3:03:44 PM PDT by shankbear (Al-Qaeda grew while Monica blew)
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To: goldstategop
Bush is more concerned about how he will apologize to them.
11 posted on 03/29/2008 3:20:48 PM PDT by Wiggins
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To: traumer

Too bad she won’t be there for GW to give her another backrub in front of the whole world....while hi-fiving his Chicom benefactors.


12 posted on 03/29/2008 3:29:31 PM PDT by LanaTurnerOverdrive
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To: goldstategop
Hopefully, it will lead to President Bush taking the same principled stand.

You expect a man who took his shoes off in a D.C. mosque a mere 4 days after 9/11 to proclaim the "Religion of Peace" to take a "principled" stand? You've got to be be kidding.

13 posted on 03/29/2008 3:53:29 PM PDT by montag813
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To: hkp123
Unfortunately for President Bush, he HAS to attend. After all, the Chinese OWN us now.

Yeah, when the boss throws a cocktail party, the invited employee had better show up. ;)

14 posted on 03/29/2008 3:58:09 PM PDT by Mr. Jeeves ("Wise men don't need to debate; men who need to debate are not wise." -- Tao Te Ching)
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To: goldstategop

I agree. China should never have been awarded the Olympics in the first place. They are a brutal, repressive country and no friend to the US.


15 posted on 03/29/2008 4:02:26 PM PDT by nyconse
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To: traumer

Good for you Angela! Imagine that. A Western European with a sense of moral outrage.


16 posted on 03/29/2008 4:06:15 PM PDT by attiladhun2 (Obama is the anti-Reagan, instead of opposing the world's tyrants, he wants to embrace them)
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To: traumer

Good- Here’s hoping not only “world leaders” don’t attend, but many athletes also choose to stay home. I sure wouldn’t want to train for a lifetime and then travel to a place to compete where you cannot breathe.


17 posted on 03/29/2008 4:12:56 PM PDT by ridesthemiles
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To: nyconse

Good point and I have wondered this myself.


18 posted on 03/29/2008 5:30:12 PM PDT by georgia peach (georgia peach)
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To: traumer

She just may be the Margaret Thatcher of Germany.


19 posted on 03/29/2008 8:08:47 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued (Those in the national Republican leadership do the work of three men- Moe, Larry, and Curly.)
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To: traumer
was she ever invited to the ceremony to begin with?

I declare I will not participate in Paris Hilton's new sex tape scene

I declare I will not attend Lindsey Lohan's out-of-rehab drinking party.

...

20 posted on 03/29/2008 8:10:36 PM PDT by YaoYiNBA
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