[The Telegraph, U.K.]

Le Figaro, France

The Passage of the Torch: In a Word, a 'Fiasco'

"Beijing's government will use the pandemonium in London and then in Paris - and soon in San Francisco - to further strengthen its ruthless dictatorship. … if we want these Games to serve the cause of the Chinese people, the best thing we can do is try to engage them once we are there. We must find a way."

EDITORIAL By Yves Thréard

Translated By Kate Davis

July 7, 2008

France - Le Figaro - Original Article (France)

Olympism, its values and symbols were put to a bitter test yesterday in Paris. It was predictable given the opposition that the Beijing Games have encountered, especially in France. The passage of the torch looked perilous. In the end, it was more than that. In a word, it was a fiasco.

The demonstrators achieved their goal, because the public authorities were overwhelmed. The considerable security measures taken to resist the onslaught of party crashers proved inadequate. The relay by the unfortunate French athletes transformed into a way of the cross  which was marked by the boos, jeers and whistles of angry crowds. Hostages of a controversy for which they aren't responsible; they were also the targets of an increasingly uncontrollable movement. There is much to be said about the organization of this day. Should it have happened?

The 2008 Olympic Torch Relay: A Modern 'Way of the Cross'

The most regrettable thing is that in their country, the Chinese didn't see any of it. In this era of the globalization of information, the Middle Kingdom remains impervious to the outside world. Images are censored and digital networks are closely monitored. Even worse, Beijing's government will use the pandemonium in London and then in Paris - and soon in San Francisco, to further strengthen its ruthless dictatorship. The Tibetans will suffer, but so will millions of Chinese who are kept in a state of fear and whose nationalism is exalted as an antidote to any outside influence whenever a threat surfaces. Yesterday, from China's point of view, the demonstrators weren't human rights activists, but dangerous uneducated savages without morals. Enemies of sport, of peace and of fraternity. Therefore as soon as it arrives, the message will thus be the opposite of that being sent.

So should we hope for other similar demonstrations of anger? Beyond the domestic political attempts at recuperation by some Socialists, one senses that the "affair" of the Olympic Games in Beijing will continue to flare between now and August, and France is on the frontlines of the international scene.  

Posted by WORLDMEETS.US

The association Reporters Without Borders is very active: it showed itself in Olympia at the lighting of the torch. The public debate is growing more intense, perhaps more than anywhere else. Athletes wearing the tricolor [French] have created a badge, “For a Better World” which the would like to be universal. Paris, led by its mayor, welcomed the flame with hostility, although the public event was canceled. Within the National Assembly, membership in the peace group France-Tibet  has grown from about 60 deputies to over 120. Finally, Nicolas Sarkozy was the first head of state to threaten to boycott the opening ceremonies. When he becomes president of the European Union on July 1, he'll have a delicate mission: to try and speak with a single voice for 27 E.U. members.

Posted by WORLDMEETS.US

Clearly, the birthplace of human rights can boast of being faithful to its legacy. But is the path that France has chosen the most appropriate for reaching its goal? The president of the Republic is right to go forth with measured steps, not to show his hand, and not to impose conditions right away. Any unnecessary provocation could risk poisoning the dialogue with Beijing. Moreover, if we want these Games to serve the cause of the Chinese people, the best thing we can do is try to engage them once we are there. We must find a way.

SEE ALSO:

Les Dernieres Nouvelles d'Alsace, France

The Route of the
Olympic Torch: A
'Way of the Cross'

http://worldmeets.us/dna000019.shtml

Xinhua, People's Republic of China

The Hypocrisy of Pelosi
and 'Those of Her Ilk' ...

http://worldmeets.us/xinhuanet000007.shtml

The Global Geographic Times, People's Republic of China

Exposing the 'Weak Rib'
of Olympic Politicization

http://worldmeets.us/globalgeographictimes000002.shtml

CLICK HERE FOR FRENCH VERSION

[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US April 9, 9:24am]