Published: July 08, 2008 04:24 pm            

Good diplomacy — 07/09/08

President right not to boycott opening of the Olympics

President Bush made the right decision by going ahead with plans to attend the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics in Beijing next month. There was little to be gained and much to be lost by boycotting the opening ceremonies.

There has been a great deal of talk about organizing a boycott by world leaders of the opening ceremonies — but not the games themselves — to protest China’s crackdown on Tibetan demands for autonomy.

The Chinese are extraordinarily proud to be chosen as hosts of the Olympics and are determined to show off their country. It is not just the Chinese government that is working overtime in preparation for the games. Ordinary Chinese also are beaming with pride and anxious to put their best foot forward. When a huge algae bloom threatened a sailing venue, more than 10,000 workers — many of them volunteers — and 1,200 vessels were dispatched to clean it up.

For President Bush to boycott the opening ceremonies would have been a blatant slap in the face not only to the Chinese government but to the people of that nation. It would have been a step backwards in U.S. relations with China.

Beyond that, a boycott would have no positive effect on Beijing’s policy toward Tibet. In fact, it could have hardened China’s position and made matters worse. Chinese officials recently agreed to sit down with representatives of the Dalai Lama. That’s a small step forward that a Bush boycott could have jeopardized.

The U.S. needs China’s help on several diplomatic fronts. No other country has greater influence on North Korea than China does. That makes China the prime player in the six-party North Korean talks that are beginning to bear fruit. China also could exert pressure on the junta in Myanmar. China’s habit of supporting odious regimes in the name of “noninterference” is one of its least appealing aspects. However, a boycott isn’t going to change that.

China will be glad, even relieved, to welcome President and Mrs. Bush to the opening ceremonies. Simply put, it’s good diplomacy. The president also will visit South Korea and Thailand, two other nations important to our interests in Asia. That only adds value to the trip.

        

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