'Rights still on agenda with China'

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, JULY 14. The White House has not expressed any view on the decision of the International Olympics Committee to give the 2008 Summer Games to China. ``I think we understand that this was a decision for the IOC to take,'' remarked the National Security Advisor, Dr. Condoleeza Rice.

That Beijing was a frontrunner was evident from the start even though Canada and its Prime Minister, Mr. Jean Chretien, pulled out all stops to bring the games to Toronto. Now, Canada will make a bid for the 2012 Games. The White House has said that American athletes will compete in Beijing. But Dr. Rice maintained that human rights would continue to be on the agenda of the U.S. as far as China was concerned. ``As to human rights in China and the agenda for human rights in our bilateral relationship with China, the President has made very clear that human rights will be on the agenda,'' Dr. Rice said.

The President, Mr. George W Bush had not commented publicly on whether the IOC should give the games to Beijing for 2008 but law makers on Capitol Hill said China should not get it on account of its human rights track record.

A ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and fierce critic of Beijing, Senator Jesse Helms lashed out at the decision of the IOC, saying it was an affront to all those who dared to speak up for freedom in China. ``Beijing's selection by the IOC mocks the freedoms that Americans enjoy and have sought to bring to the rest of the world,'' Mr. Helms said in a statement.

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Section  : International
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