President Halonen to travel to Beijing Olympics after opening ceremony

"Not a political decision", says President's office

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Finnish President Tarja Halonen plans to travel to the Beijing Olympics for the second week of the games. She will not attend the opening ceremonies, but the President's office says that the decision was not a political one.
     Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre) appears to be the only Finnish politician who will be on hand in China to witness the opening ceremonies.
     
Halonen and Vanhanen agreed on their participation in the Olympics months ago, said the President's spokeswoman Eila Nevalainen on Friday.
     Already in November, when Nevalainen began work at her present post, she says that it was known that Vanhanen would be first at the Olympics, which last just over two weeks, and that Halonen would attend during the second week. Nevalainen says that the arrangement is purely practical, and linked with scheduling.
     "There was no mention of what has now been discussed", Nevalainen said, in reference to demands for a boycott of the opening ceremonies to protest Chinese human rights violations and oppressive policies toward Tibet.
     Prime Minister Vanhanen announced that he would attend the opening ceremonies just over a week ago. His decision has been criticised as hasty.
     
Halonen and Vanhanen will watch the games as invited guests of the Finnish Olympic Committee. Eligible to attend the games as accredited guests of the committee are the highest-ranking leaders of the country as well as the minister responsible for sport - in Finland's case, Minister of Culture and Sport Stefan Wallin (Swed. People's Party).
     Wallin said in Parliament on Thursday that he would travel to Beijing on August 15th.
     Another Finnish politician taking part in the Olympics will be MP Ilkka Kanerva (Nat. Coalition Party), in his capacity as Vice President of the International Amateur Athletics Federation.
     Kanerva said that he is timing his trip to China so as to be able attend the meeting of the executive of the federation, which is to be held before athletics events at the Beijing games.
     The Beijing Olympics will be held from August 8th through the 24th.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Vanhanen denies unnecessary haste in decision to attend Olympics (25.4.2008)
  Foreign Minister downplays differences with PM on Olympics (24.4.2008)
  Prime Minister to attend opening of Beijing Olympics (21.4.2008)

Helsingin Sanomat