(Olympics Boycott Issue)
Xinhua
Montevideo, March 28 (Xinhua) Uruguay’s Olympic Committee (COU) declined to involve politics in Beijing Olympic Games and reiterated that athletes from this South American country will participate in the August extravaganza. Swedish cabinet members oppose Beijing Olympics ceremony boycott

Stockholm (DPA) Two Swedish cabinet members have reacted coolly to a call by former justice minister Thomas Bodstrom that Swedish athletes should boycott the opening and closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. Such a move would “send a very clear signal” to protest the ongoing violence in Tibet and other human rights violations in China, Bodstrom said on Swedish television.

International Development Cooperation Minister Gunilla Carlsson said “an effective China policy” would require a joint effort with other European Union members, and said a continuous dialogue on human rights issues was a better approach. Culture Minister Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth, who also handles sports matters, was scheduled to take part at the opening ceremony and in parliament said Sweden maintained an open and clear dialogue with China.

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Lithuania supports Games

Riga (Xinhua) Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus has voiced opposition to the politicisation of the Tibet issue and a boycott of the Beijing Olympic Games, according to reports from Vilnius.

Xinhua