EDITORIAL: Finland must not fall into toadying over Olympics

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Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen is renowned for avoiding talking about matters that have not been decided in the government. Apparently the question of the participation of the Finnish Prime Minister in the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics next August is not unfinished business, and no longer depends on any other factors. Vanhanen announced unequivocally on a YLE television programme on Saturday morning that he plans to attend the opening, and to watch Olympic events after that.
      Vanhanen mentioned that politics and sports should not be mixed with each other and that Finland has not boycotted Olympic games on any previous occasions.
      Both arguments are good ones. Mixing politics with sport is unavoidable in many ways, but boycotts should be steered clear of, because that is a road that leads to a cycle of political revenge.
     
So although Vanhanen's announcement is in line with Finland's traditional attitude, the unequivocal nature of the announcement, its clarity, and its early timing were conspicuous right now.
      For there is debate raging in the European Union and other parts of the world on what kind of a response should come to the actions by Chinese officials in the suppression of demonstrations by Tibetans and others.
      Vanhanen, who has otherwise grown used to keeping a low profile on international forums, made it clear that Finland does not plan to participate even in subtle diplomatic boycotts.
     
One is reminded of another case from 19 years ago when tanks crushed a student demonstration at Tienanmen Square. Finland did not recall its ambassador, and was the first Western country to resume ministerial-level visits to China. There is no doubt that China appreciated Finland's policy at that time, and that it will do so again.
     
One must truly hope that the course of events in the coming months will not lead to the kind of situation in which Vanhanen will have to really explain his statements, both to the Finnish people and to his EU colleagues.
      Many EU leaders have said that they will stay away from the opening of the Beijing games.
      In Norway, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg has taken a similar line to that of Vanhanen, but now faces severe criticism at home, even in his own Labour Party. Although the Norwegians are keen on sport, a recent opinion poll shows that four out of ten Norwegians feel that Norway's leaders should boycott the opening of the games.
      The matter has also been powerfully brought forward in Sweden as well, especially because a visit to China by Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt took place last week. Reinfeldt appears to have received the approval of the people at home, when he said that he had taken up human rights questions, and the list of names of imprisoned dissidents.
     
There should be no illusions about the ability of the outside world to affect China's human rights situation with threatened boycotts.
      What is mainly involved is what democratic countries feel that they can tolerate from the host of the Summer Olympics.
      Hosting the Olympics is a source of great national pride even for ordinary Chinese.
      The strong criticism from abroad hurts them as well, which will easily stir up xenophobia in China.
      Although the support of China's own people is important for the country's leadership, growth of anti-foreigner sentiment just before the Olympics is also a cause for concern.
      Once the games are over, China will constantly need more foreign investment, so one would not imagine that it could afford to allow xenophobia to grow.
     
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 22.4.2008


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Prime Minister to attend opening of Beijing Olympics (21.4.2008)

Helsingin Sanomat