Sarkozy to Attend Olympics Opener

— French President Nicolas Sarkozy will attend the opening of the Beijing Olympics next month, his office said Wednesday, putting an end to his threat to boycott the event over China's treatment of Tibet. Sarkozy informed Chinese President Hu Jintao of his decision during talks on the sidelines of the Group of Eight summit of industrialized powers in Japan, his office said. "The chief of state stressed the Olympic values of peace, friendship and brotherhood, and wished great success to the Beijing Olympic Games," the statement said, adding that Sarkozy "confirmed his intention" to attend the Aug. 8 ceremony. For months, the French president had left open the possibility of boycotting the event to show disapproval of China's violent crackdown on Tibet after riots and protests there in March. Sarkozy had pushed the two sides to... [read full story]