links for 2008-05-07

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Jacques Rogge against a “better world”?

The Economist blog “Certain ideas of Europe” describes the China argumentation of IOC boss Jacques Rogge. His defensive approach can be summarised with the following statements: “be reasonable, old chap, what can we do?” and “we don’t do politics but things are much better than you think” combined with some claims about the successes of “quiet diplomacy”…

Apologists for the Beijing Olympics usually use one or a combination of these lines of argumentation. Interestingly, the argument that the IOC is involved in some quiet diplomacy (which would slowly improve things in China) contradicts the claim that the Olympic games do not have anything to do with politics and that the IOC is an unpolitical actor …

The post ends with Mr Rogge’s opinion about the “protest badges”:

Mr Rogge was asked his personal opinion of badges that some athletes, notably from France, want to wear during the Olympics, which the IOC looks set to ban as being too “political” to permit in the Olympic village. The badge is very unlikely to be permitted, said Mr Rogge, noting that athletes have said that the badge “signifies that they are not indifferent to what goes on in China.” Was that not clearly political, asked the Olympic boss. And the motto on these outrageously political and provocative badges? Since you ask, the proposed badges carry the words: “For a better world.”

Breaking news: China to Meet With Representative Of Dalai Lama

Breaking news:

Chinese officials will meet representatives of the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism whom China blames for a wave of unrest, Xinhua news agency reported on Friday, citing official sources.

The move marks a change in tactics on the part of Beijing, which has stepped up its vilification of the Dalai Lama since anti-government protests hit Tibet and rippled across ethnic Tibetan parts of China in the past weeks.

“In view of the requests repeatedly made by the Dalai side for resuming talks, the relevant department of the central government will have contact and consultation with Dalai’s private representative in the coming days,” Xinhua quoted an official as saying.

More infos:

BBC: Beijing ‘to talk to Dalai aides’
AFP: Dalai Lama welcomes Chinese offer for talks: spokesman

The question of course is why and why now? Is it part of a PR campaign or really a politically motivated move?

However, the protests seem to work and even the Chinese government recognizes the necessity to address the issue.  It remains to be seen whether the proposed talks bring any real improvement of the situation, but for the time being it should be seen as a step forward!

Don’t watch the Olympics Vol. 3

Watch this instead

Office Olympics

For office sports lovers:

>> visit officeolympics.net

Don’t watch the Olympics Vol. 2

Watch this instead:

BBC News - June 4, 1989, Tiananmen Square Massacre

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Welcome to Whitewash Country

© Clay Jones | The Free Lance-Star 2008

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