Bush: Skipping opening ceremony would offend China

President Bush on Sunday defended his decision to attend the opening ceremony of the Summer Games in China, saying he does not “need the Olympics” to express his concerns regarding the country’s human rights record.

While some world leaders have stated that they would skip the ceremony to highlight a Chinese crackdown in Tibet, Bush argues that he does not need to take such a step to address the issue.

{mosads}“I had the honor of dealing with the Chinese — two Chinese presidents during my term, and every time I have visited with them I have talked about religious freedom and human rights,” Bush said during a visit to Japan. “And so, therefore, my decision to go was — I guess I don’t need the Olympics to express my concerns. I’ve been doing so.”

The U.S. president was backed by Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who declared at a joint press conference for the first time that he would also attend the ceremony after a scheduling conflict had been resolved. Fukuda stated that the Olympics do not have to be linked to politics.

Bush argued that “the Chinese people are watching very carefully about the decisions by world leaders, and I happen to believe not going to the opening ceremony for the games would be an affront to the Chinese people, which may make it more difficult to be able to speak frankly with the Chinese leadership.”

He added that he is “looking forward to cheering the athletes. I think it would be good for these athletes who have worked hard to see their President waving that flag.”