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Dutch Lukewarm on Beijing Olympics Action
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Most people in the Netherlands think their government should refrain from condemning the 2008 Olympic Games in China, according to a poll by Maurice de Hond. 54 per cent of respondents want the government to take no action against the games in Beijing.
Conversely, 23 per cent of respondents want the government to stay away from the opening ceremonies, and 17 per cent want it to tell Dutch sports fans not to travel to China. Eight per cent of respondents would forbid the use of the Dutch flag in the games, and only three per cent would support a full boycott.
Last month, Reporters Without Borders called on heads of state and governments to boycott the opening ceremonies of this year’s Olympic Games as a way to underline China’s poor treatment of human rights. German chancellor Angela Merkel and Britain’s Prince Charles have said they will skip the opening events, while French president Nicolas Sarkozy has said he is considering his options.
On Mar. 17, Erica Terpstra, head of the Dutch Olympic Committee, rejected calls for boycotting the Olympics in light of recent clashes between Chinese authorities and pro-independence protesters in Tibet, saying, "To burden sports with this is the wrong way. It really has to be for the politicians. (...) And I have an additional concern: Keep your hands off my athletes."
Polling Data
Which action should the government undertake with respect to the Dutch participation in the Beijing Olympics?
|
Stay away from the opening ceremonies |
23% |
|
Dissuade Dutch supporters from traveling to China |
17% |
|
Forbid the use of the Dutch flag |
8% |
|
Boycott the games |
3% |
|
Nothing |
54% |
|
Not sure |
10% |
Source: Maurice de Hond
Methodology: Interviews with 1,000 Dutch adults, conducted on Mar. 25, 2008. No margin of error was provided.