[Greens-Media] Rudd's biggest Beijing Olympics decision yet to come: Brown

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Friday, 11 April 2008

Rudd's biggest Beijing Olympics decision yet to come: Brown

The Prime Minister Kevin Rudd should boycott the opening ceremony of the
Beijing Olympics if the Chinese authorities ignore global calls for
dialogue with the Dalai Lama, Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown said in
Canberra today.

"To give him due credit, Mr Rudd has made good his commitment to put
Tibet on the agenda during his visit to Beijing. But Beijing has had a
media blackout on Mr Rudd's call and seems to believe that if it does
nothing the issue will go away. Meanwhile, Tibet is effectively under
martial law," Senator Brown said.

"Without there being talks with the Dalai Lama, Mr Rudd should follow UK
Prime Minister Gordon Brown's decision not to go to the opening ceremony
in August."

"I do not favour an athletes' boycott of the Games, but I have
congratulated Dawn Fraser on her principled stand," Senator Brown said.

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603






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Ebony Bennett
Media Adviser
Office of Greens Senator Bob Brown
Mobile: 0409 164 603
Ph: (02) 6277 3170
Fax: (02) 6277 3185	

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www.myspace.com/bobbrowngreens