EU rifts on Tibet, Beijing Olympics

The EU exposed its divisions yesterday over how to respond to China's suppression of Tibetan protests, with ministers differing over whether to attend the opening of the Beijing Olympics.

Britain, host of the 2012 Olympic Games, said Prime Minister Gordon Brown would definitely be present, after French President Nicolas Sarkozy publicly mooted the possibility of a boycott.

Germany said Chancellor Angela Merkel and key ministers did not plan to attend the opening ceremony in August but stressed the decision was not related to Tibet.

"I don't think we will have a boycott on our agenda," EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said as foreign ministers of the 27-nation bloc began a two-day meeting due to discuss today a joint response to the events in Tibet.

Several EU ministers took refuge in a wait-and-see position. European External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said there were still five months to go, and a judgment could depend on the circumstances on Tibet and on media freedom.