French President Nicolas Sarkozy to attend the Beijing Olympics after all

10.07.2008

A meeting with the Dalai Lama could drive a wedge between Franco-Sino relations

French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Thursday, July 10, reacted defiantly to Chinese threats of reprisals if he met with the Dalai Lama.

"China neither sets my agenda nor makes my appointments for me," Sarkozy told lawmakers at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

The Chinese ambassador to Paris had warned earlier this week that there would be "grave consequences" if Sarkozy met with the Dalai Lama during his visit to France in mid-August.

A Chinese diplomat told the daily Le Figaro that this could mean cancelling Chinese orders for 56 high-speed TGV trains and more than 100 Airbus aircaft.

However, Sarkozy did not on Thursday expressly say that he would hold a meeting with the Dalai Lama.

On Wednesday, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner had summoned the ambassador to the ministry to tell him that the French government refused to cede to any pressure, "no matter where it comes from."

I am glad the possible cancelling the orders also influence Germany, England and EU countries.

Maybe he'll bring some Tibetan friends with him.

owned.

Grow a thick face can make one invincible. Sarkozy is admirable when he keeps French jobless and Airbus in mind. But obviously he will not succeed to cheat another annual order of 50 Billion order for 2009 from Chinese, like what he did last year. Maybe he could wait till 2010, if he managed to survive from a 30% low rate.

I'm confused, didn't the Chinese already say Sarkozy isn't welcome? Is he giving China a chance to refuse him entrance at immigration? :P

This can no way be interpreted as capitulation to the Chinese. The Olympics occurs during Sarko's tenure as President of the EU and as such he will be representing Europe and France.

As I understand it, Sarkozy never said he would not attend, but said he reserved the right not to attend. Quite different.