France Sets Three Conditions For China For Sarkozy's Olympics Visit

April 5, 2008 10:39 a.m. EST

Paris, France (AHN) - French President Nicholas Sarkozy is likely to boycott the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony unless China frees political prisoners, end violence against Tibetans and opens dialogue with the Dalai Lama.

France's human rights minister has set three conditions, including to investigate the recent clashes between the Tibetans and Chinese security forces, for the attendance of the country's president for the ceremony on Saturday, according to the local newspaper, Le Monde.

French Secretary of State for Human Rights Rama Yade set the conditions, after consulting France's European Union partners, following fresh clashes and riots were reported in a Tibetan area of western China.

"Three conditions are indispensable for him to go," to the opening ceremony on August 8 Yade said, according to BBC News report.

She continued, "An end to violence against the population and the release of political prisoners, investigation of the events in Tibet and the opening of dialogue with the Dalai Lama."

Around 132 Tibetan monks were arrested for political reasons in 2007 crackdown by the authorities on the thousands of protesters.

She also said that discussions should be about the recognition of Tibetan autonomy and the spiritual, religious and cultural identity of the Tibetans.

Yade was quoted on Saturday as saying that France's President Sarkozy will have his final word on the decision based on the improvements noted in the situation in China and the accomplishments of the three conditions.

"At the moment, China practices a politics of assimilation by colonizing Tibetan zones, which has marginalized its population," Yade was quoted saying by AFP news agency.

"It's a real disappointment for us given we had multiplied our efforts on his behalf," she added.

"China without human rights will never be a true great power."

Sarkozy's decision is vital on the decision as he will be the president of the European Union from July 1 on.