America and Europe: social coverage differences

It is not so long ago that European politicians were optimistic enough about the recovery of the economy. They talked quite freely about it and even set a date. Good times would be back in the second half of 2009. Read the rest of this entry »

Which French city will be the European Capital of Culture?

Even though we are still in 2008, France has already begun to prepare for the contest of choosing its European Capital of Culture. On June 13, 1985 and conceived as a means of bringing citizens of the European Union - at that time the European Community - together Read the rest of this entry »

Hurting at the gas pump

On Monday oil rose above $133 a barrel due to continuous worries about supplies. Reports of an attack by militants on an oil pipeline in Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest oil exporters also contributed to boost prices. Probably with the aim to comfort the American consumer, Read the rest of this entry »

Beijing, to go or not to go?

Tibet has become a touchy subject for many politicians. Whatever happens between China and Tibet from now until the opening of the Olympic Games in August will determine how full or empty the official area assigned to heads of state or their representatives will be. Once some governments began expressing their decisions about or against assisting the opening ceremonies it was inevitable that the rest of the first world nations could not remain silent. And so it has been.
Let us start by saying that the Dalai-Lama is against a boycott of the games and he appears to be ready for talks with the Chinese government. I believe that other countries should be very careful until and if these talks really take place. It is not the time for posturing as we are talking about human lives and the well being of the Tibetans. On should not forget that as difficult as it might be for some countries to take decisions thinking of the possible economical damage that dealing in the wrong way with China might inflict upon them, they are not the ones suffering. And of course, we cannot and should not forget the athletes who had been preparing and sacrificing themselves for a long time. It is not an easy decision to make and that is why nations must tread carefully.

As it stands now and according to an interview that Condoleezza Rice had with the Washington Times yesterday “boycotting the Summer Olympics in Beijing would be an ineffective way to address China’s “troublesome policies”. In her opinion the U.S. boycott of the 1980 games in Moscow had been “feckless.” She went to add that President Bush was planning to go to Beijing for the Games.

As he already had stated last week, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, on an official visit to London yesterday, said he would not rule out boycotting the Olympics opening ceremony in Beijing, depending on how the situation would develop in Tibet. But thinking about some possible change in his decision, he added “At the moment of the opening ceremony, I will be president of the European Union, which will oblige me to consult the others (European governments) to know whether I will go or not.”

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, like Mr. Bush, has said he will attend the Summer Games. With London due to host the 2012 Olympics, Brown insisted that Britain would not boycott the opening session of the Games in Beijing.
Germany has found a diplomatic way of excusing the Chancellor Angela Merkel from supporting the opening of the Games The Foreign Minister of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, has indicated that it was not planned either for Mrs Merkel nor for himself to attend the opening of the games in Beijing.
With other heads of European nations having different opinions, the Europeans are going to try to find a joint position in a meeting of their foreign ministers which will take place this coming weekend.