Minister rejects call for Olympics boycott

The Olympics’ opening ceremony should not be boycotted by Irish athletes over China’s policy on Tibet, Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said today.

Former Fianna Fáil minister David Andrews and his TD nephew Chris Andrews have both called for the colourful event in Beijing in early August to be snubbed.

Dozens of Tibetan protesters were arrested today when they tried to storm the Chinese embassy in the Nepali capital Kathmandu in the latest crackdown on demonstrations against Beijing.

The issue was discussed by Mr Ahern and his EU colleagues at an informal meeting of foreign ministers in Slovenia last week.

Speaking after a meeting with the Tibet Support Group, Mr Ahern said: “We will keep the pressure on the Chinese about this issue.

“I have heard issues about boycotts. As far as I’m concerned personally, I don’t think that we should boycott the Olympics.

“There are other issues out there like Sudan and Burma as well. It is far better to engage with China on the basis that after the Olympics we still have to engage with them.”

The minister met representatives from the Tibet Support Group at Iveagh House to discuss ongoing developments in the region and neighbouring provinces.

He added: “While we might put pressure before the Olympics, our athletes wouldn’t thank us for a boycott. We should always keep politics out of sport.

“The issue of the Government’s attendance at the opening ceremony hasn’t been discussed.

“He said it will ultimately be a matter for Sports Minister Seamus Brennan.”