Sarkozy insists he has EU backing to attend Olympics

FRENCH President Nicolas Sarkozy insisted yesterday he had the backing of all European capitals to attend the opening of the Beijing Olympics as holder of the EU presidency.

Sarkozy’s decision to attend the ceremony next month on behalf of the EU triggered accusations he was undermining union efforts to pressure China on its human rights record.

Defending the move in the European Parliament, Sarkozy said that as holder of the EU presidency, he had sought approval from all member states: “All the member states gave their agreement for me to participate in the opening ceremony [of the Olympics].”