Bush will attend Beijing Olympics opening ceremony, White House announces

In a classic case of announcing controversial news when it is least likely to draw attention, the White House finally disclosed this afternoon, on the eve of a three-day holiday, that President Bush will -- as expected -- attend the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic Games next month.

Several hours earlier, White House Press Secretary Dana Perino signaled that it was more than likely that the president would be in the stadium on the opening day, calling his attendance "a distinct possibility," when asked about it by reporters.

But it was an announcement that the White House had been putting off for months -- indeed, ever since Bush committed himself to attending at least some of the Games when he met with Chinese President Hu Jintao last September in Australia.

The issue is complicated, but there was little expectation that the president would not in the end show up for the ceremonies. To do otherwise -- as a protest of Beijing's human rights policies and its treatment of Tibetans and the Dalai Lama -- would have been a slap in the face for the Chinese.

-- James Gerstenzang

Photo: Paula Bronstein / Getty Images

Comments

[PNW Trojan]

I'm willing to give the Chinese all the gold in Fort Knox, if they keep the son of a bush!

[Brian Randall]

I am sure he will be right at home in a nation that does not care about human rights or dignity. Please ask him not to wear the US flag pin. Thank you.

[B L]

The Olympics should boycott Bush.