Bush explains Olympics decisions: It's about sport
It has been three days since the White House announced, on the eve of the Independence Day weekend, that President Bush, as expected, would attend the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.
On Sunday, in Japan, where he is attending the annual Group of 8 summit, Bush for the first time explained on the record why he decided to attend. The decision has drawn some pointed criticism.
Forget the political importance the Chinese have attached to staging a successful Olympics, he seemed to say. Ditto the complaints about China's treatment of protesters seeking independence for Tibet, and of the Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader. It's all about sports, said the president, a former part owner of the Texas Rangers baseball team.
Here's how the president put it at a news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda:
PRESIDENT BUSH: I view the Olympics as a opportunity for me to cheer on our athletes. It's an athletic event. I had the honor of dealing with the Chinese -- two Chinese presidents during my term, and every time I have visited with them I have talked about religious freedom and human rights. And so, therefore, my decision to go was -- I guess I don't need the Olympics to express my concerns. I've been doing so.
I also believe that the Chinese people are watching very carefully about the decisions by world leaders, and that this -- I happen to believe not going to the opening games would be -- the Opening Ceremony for the Games would be an affront to the Chinese people, which may make it more difficult to have a -- to be able to speak frankly with the Chinese leadership. That's why I'm doing what I'm doing. And I'm looking forward to cheering the athletes. I think it will be -- I think it would be good for these athletes who have worked hard to see their president waving that flag.
Q -- (inaudible) --
PRESIDENT BUSH: You know, in some areas we've made progress on a common agenda; other areas we haven't. But nevertheless, I have been very clear in my view that, for example, a whole society is one that honors religion and that people shouldn't fear religious people. After all, truly religious people love their neighbor, and that China benefits from people being able to worship freely.
It looks like there's some progress, at least in the talks with the Dalai Lama. And by the way, as you know, I'm the first president ever to have stood up publicly with the Dalai Lama, and told President Hu Jintao I was going to. And he wasn't that pleased about it, but nevertheless, I said I believe in a religious freedom, Mr. President.
And so it's -- and I hope I have a bilateral -- I might have a bilateral with him here, and I bet I do when I'm in Beijing, as well, and, of course, the subject will come up.
-- James Gerstenzang
Photo: Evan Vucci/Associated Press
