Sarkozy 'sets condition' for attending Olympic opening

French President Nicolas Sarkozy could boycott the Olympics opening ceremony unless China releases political prisoners and opens a dialogue with the Dalai Lama, a French government minister was today quoted as saying.

Human Rights Minister Rama Yade has been quoted as setting out a list of conditions needed for Sarkozy to attend the ceremony on August 8.

She said the other conditions needed are an end to violence against the local population and light shed on the recent events in Tibet.

Yade was quoted today as saying that Sarkozy would make his decision based on how the situation evolves and would speak after consulting his European Union partners.