Tallinn - President Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Prime Minister Andrus Ansip have announced they will not attend this summer's Beijing Olympics, although both Estonian leaders warned that their actions should not be interpreted as being part of a possible international boycott. Estonia's announcement comes as China faces widespread condemnation for its crackdown in Tibet, which has focused world attention on China's poor human rights record.
A spokesman for the President told reporters Monday that Ilves' summer schedule was determined months ago and would not allow the President to attend the Beijing ceremony. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has announced that over one hundred heads of state and government will be attending the Olympic events. Latvian President Valdis Zatlers has said he will be attending the Olympics.
Regarding the continuing protests in Tibet, President Ilves has described the violence that erupted this month as regrettable and urged China to bring order to the province.
"Hopefully China, which has come to the world's attention because of the upcoming Olympics, will prove that the enormous changes that have already taken place in their country....will also find a flexible and magnanimous expression in solving the complex situation," the President said.
Other political leaders have been outspoken in their condemnation of China. Last week, Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said the rioting in Tibet could not be resolved by force and has urged that the Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader who lives in exile, should be involved in negotiations on the future of the landlocked province in China. However, Chinese authorities refuse to talk to the Dalai Lama claiming they do not recognize his authority.
Meanwhile, the Premier did say that while he would be not be representing Estonia at the opening ceremony, he would be going to the games in a private capacity to cheer on Estonian athletes.
The Chinese government has reiterated that Tibet is part of China, however, the Tibetan government-in-exile claims Tibet is a distinct country with its own language and culture. China's army defeated the Tibetan Army in 1950 and has since occupied the country. The Tibetan government-in-exile is based across the Himalayan Mountains in Dharmsala, India.
Estonia has it's own history of occupation by a Communist regime. Neither the former Soviet authorities, nor the current Russian government, will acknowledge the half-century occupation of Estonia.
The Tibetan government-in-exile reports that Chinese authorities have killed 130 Tibetan protesters during recent disturbances, according to wire sources.
