Sarkozy sets conditions for attending Olympic opening ceremony

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
French President Nicolas Sarkozy could boycott the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics unless China releases political prisoners and opens a dialogue with the Dalai Lama, one of his Cabinet ministers was quoted as saying Saturday. In an interview with Le Monde, Human Rights Minister Rama Yade set out a list of conditions needed for Sarkozy to attend the ceremony Aug. 8, the newspaper said. "Three conditions are essential for him to attend: an end to violence against the population and the liberation of political prisoners; light shed on the events in Tibet; and the opening of a dialogue with the Dalai Lama," Yade was quoted as telling Le Monde. Yade said Sarkozy would make his decision based on how the situation evolves and would speak after consulting with his European Union partners. Sarkozy's office did not immediately return a call seeking comment on the interview.