Clinton Embarrasses Prime Minister Brown Re: Olympic Boycott.

[Ichingcarpenter]

Gordon Brown became an unintentional standard-bearer for pro-Tibet campaigners today after being wrongly praised by Hillary Clinton for boycotting the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.

The British media have treated the confirmation by No 10 yesterday of his plans not to attend the opening ceremony as an important foreign policy move, leading to reports around the world that he had snubbed China.

An exasperated Downing Street criticised the BBC and Channel 4 News for what it said was an inaccurate representation of Mr Brown’s longstanding decision to attend the closing ceremony and not the opening.



Critics have accused the Prime Minister of causing confusion by his remarks at a recent news conference with President Sarkozy of France. Mr Sarkozy mentioned the possibility of a boycott whereas Mr Brown ruled one out, saying: “Britain will be attending the Olympic Games ceremonies.”

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/olympics/article3723291.ece

Must have been one of those three AM phone calls!!!!!!!

[MADem]

1. ...Mr Brown’s longstanding decision to attend the closing ceremony and not the opening.

Well, he made up his mind not to go to the opening events, and now he's crying that someone noticed?

[flor de jasmim]

4. No, the point is that Hillary was looking to claim a "coalition" and

didn't check that Brown was not attending the opening ceremony, but it was NOT a boycott. THAT IS A DIPLOMATIC BLUNDER. After Bosnia, N. Ireland, she needs to learn to think before speaking (or do some research).

[MADem]

9. Sorry, I go with post three on this issue. NT

[catgirl]

7. I said planned this back in Jan.

He's not "boycotting" it. He has someone else going to the opening ceremonies.

[MADem]

10. Ahh, send the parlor maid along, then!

:rofl:

[catgirl]

11. She screwed up the facts and showed what kind of diplomat she is.

Not a very good one. Starting rumors about another world leader
is pretty damn bad.

[MADem]

12. Sorry. I'm with Bigtree, not you. NT

[catgirl]

13. I know. ??

[dkf]

2. haha. Her memory is going per Bill. I guess he would know.

[bigtree]

3. Bullshit. Brown is playing politics with this. Trying to have it both ways

Missing the opening and then claiming it was his plan all along. Slick.

[MADem]

8. Amidst all the faux outrage on this thread, you're the one who gets it!

The rest of the "concrete club" are going along with the silly little storyline.

[Enrique]

5. dumb mistake by her

interesting that Hillary has taken the strongest stance of the three candidates. Not sure I agree with her, sometimes caution is advised in foreign relations, but interesting how it breaks down:

Mrs Clinton called on President Bush to boycott the opening ceremony, and is urging her presidential rivals Barack Obama and John McCain to do the same. Mr Obama says that a boycott should be “firmly on the table”, but no decision should be made now. Mr McCain has condemned China’s action in Tibet and advised Mr Bush to keep his options open.

[AllentownJake]

6. Yeah

I don't agree with announcing this boycott thing so ealry. Can't we use it as a bargaining chip to get them to stop beating monks in the street?