ANCIENT OLYMPIA, GREECE — IOC president Jacques Rogge said Monday he is engaged in “silent diplomacy” with China on Tibet and other human rights issues in advance of the Beijing Olympics.
Rogge gave his most extensive public comments on China's political situation in an interview with The Associated Press in Ancient Olympia, where he was attending the flame-lighting ceremony for the Beijing Games.
Rogge and the International Olympic Committee have come under pressure to speak out about the crackdown in Tibet and China's record on human rights, Darfur, freedom of speech and other issues as the Aug. 8-24 games approach.
Rogge reiterated his long-standing position that the IOC is not a political organization and cannot interfere in the internal affairs of China. But he stressed that he is involved in private dialogue with Chinese leaders and insisted the human rights situation has improved since Beijing got the games seven years ago.
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“The IOC is engaged in what I call a ‘silent diplomacy' with Chinese authorities since day one of the preparations of the games,” Rogge said. “We are discussing on a daily basis with Chinese authorities, including discussing these issues, while strictly respecting the sovereignty of China in its affairs.”
Rogge, who will chair IOC executive board meetings in Beijing next month, said he will meet then with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.
“I have a series of points to discuss with him and I'm sure he has points to discuss with me,” Rogge said, without elaborating.
“I repeat, we are not a political body, we are not an NGO, but it is our responsibility to make sure the athletes get the best possible games which they deserve,” he said.
Rogge contested claims that the human rights situation in China has deteriorated since the IOC gave the games to Beijing in 2001.
“I dispute that, I challenge that,” he said. “Awarding the games to China has put China in the limelight and opened the (human rights) issues up to the world. Tibet, rightfully so, is on the front page. But it would not be on the front page if the games were not being organized in China.”
“I believe the games have advanced the agenda of human rights,” Rogge added. “Is the situation perfect? By no means. Has it improved? I'm saying yes. Is the glass half full, or half empty? I'm saying half full.”
The violence in Tibet has brought China's policies to the fore in the final months before the games. Protests began March 10 on the 49th anniversary of a failed uprising against Chinese rule, and turned violent four days later, touching off demonstrations among Tibetans in three neighbouring provinces.
Beijing's official death toll from the rioting is 22, but the Dalai Lama's government-in-exile has said 99 Tibetans have been killed.
Rogge expressed concern about the violence but would not criticize China for its crackdown.
“It's difficult to make a judgment on the responsibilities, but violence from whatever side is something which of course is worrying us,” he said.
Rogge said the IOC can do no more than join world leaders in calling for a peaceful resolution of the situation.
“The United States of America, the European Union and the pope have called for a peaceful resolution and a reduction of violence,” he said. “We are saying what the world leaders are saying.”
Rogge, meanwhile, said there is no “credible momentum whatsoever” for any Olympic boycott over Tibet.
“The major governments do not want it, the sports community definitely do not want it, and I'm sure the public opinion does not want it,” he said.
Some politicians have suggested the possibility of government leaders boycotting the opening ceremony, but Rogge also said there was no broad support for such a move.
Despite the heightened controversy surrounding the games, Rogge said the decision to give the Olympics to Beijing was the right one.
“When we awarded the games to China, we knew there would be discussions,” he said. “We were not naive. We knew discussions would flare up in the last six months and that has happened. ... We cannot deny one-fifth of mankind the advantages of Olympism ... We believe the games will be a catalyst for change and will open a country which used to be mysterious to much of the world.”
Rogge came to Ancient Olympia for the flame-lighting ceremony that kicks off the torch relay for the Beijing Games.
Tibetan activists have announced plans to protest during the relay, which will travel 85,000 miles over 130 days through five continents before reaching Beijing's Olympic stadium for the opening ceremony.
Rogge expressed concern at the possibility of violent protests.
“The torch relay is a symbol of peace, a symbol of unity of people of the world and of the Olympic truce,” he said. “We call on everyone not to use violence. I don't think the public opinion would accept violence in such a public event. It would be counterproductive.”
The torch relay is scheduled to go through Tibet, creating a possible flashpoint. Rogge said there are no plans to change the route, but didn't rule it out.
“The original torch relay has been confirmed by BOCOG and Chinese authorities,” he said. “So far, as I speak now, the IOC is in agreement with that. No one can foresee the future.”
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