Swedish PM says 'no' to calls for boycott of Olympics

By Zhang Haizhou (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-04-15 10:46

You know it's a good sign in a politician if he gives the same answer to a question wherever he stands.

That statement from Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt was greeted by applause from the audience at Peking University on Monday.

Swedish PM says 'no' to calls for boycott of Olympics

Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt delivers a speech at Peking University, April 14, 2008. [Asianewsphoto]

The students were pleased that he gave the same answer:

Last Tuesday, at a meeting of Nordic prime ministers in Sweden, Reinfeldt said that in his opinion "we should not boycott the opening ceremony or the Games".

Yesterday, speaking in a lecture hall of the university's overseas exchange center, he said: "I can tell you that I don't believe in it (the Olympic boycott)."

He was responding to a Chinese student's question on the violent attacks on the Olympic torch relay in London and Paris, and some politicians' call for a boycott.

Reinfeldt said he hoped the Olympics Games would be a success.

Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt takes a tour of the Beijing University Gymnasium, the venue for table tennis events for the 2008 Olympic Games. [Asianewsphoto]

"They (the Games) bring the world together in competition, but also in personal meetings and interaction," he added.

Reinfeldt also proposed working with China on human rights in a constructive manner.

He attended a seminar with staff and students at the university's Research Center for Human Rights before the speech.

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