IOC President Rogge Declines Comment on Tibet Violence While Visiting Barbados

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – IOC president Jacques Rogge refused Tuesday to comment on China’s crackdown in Tibet.

Rogge, visiting Barbados on the last stop of a six-day Caribbean tour for the International Olympic Committee, declined at his hotel to comment about the violence in and around Tibet. He also refused to speak with local reporters while attending a series of public events on the island.

On Tuesday, China Premier Wen Jiabao blamed the violent clashes on supporters of the Dalai Lama, accusing them of trying to sabotage the Beijing Olympics and bolster their campaign for independence.

During his Caribbean tour, Rogge has declined to say whether the committee would change its stance if the violence continues. On Sunday, he said the IOC was “concerned.”

The IOC’s basic position, as stated repeatedly by Rogge, is that it is a sports organization unwilling to pressure governments on their policies.

But Olympic swimming champion Pieter van den Hoogenband of the Netherlands has called on Rogge to speak out on behalf of all athletes urging China to improve its human rights situation.

World champion swimmer Roland Schoeman of South Africa believes the IOC should say the Tibetans’ treatment is not acceptable. Luciano Barra, deputy CEO of the 2006 Turin Winter Games, also thinks the IOC should do and say more.

Moves to punish China for its handling of Tibet gained momentum on Tuesday with a suggestion by France’s foreign minister, former humanitarian campaigner Bernard Kouchner, for a mini-boycott of the Beijing Olympics by VIPs at the opening ceremony.