Danish premier: No decision yet on Olympic ceremony boycott

Copenhagen - Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh RasmussenDanish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen Tuesday said no decision had been made over whether or not Denmark will stay away from the opening ceremony at the Beijing Olympics.

"The government's position has not changed, and the government does not aim for a boycott of the Olympic Games," Rasmussen told Danish news agency Ritzau on the sidelines of a summit in northern Sweden.

Rasmussen said the issue of a possible boycott had not been discussed in the cabinet, adding that even if Danish government members stayed away Crown Prince Frederik could likely attend the ceremony.

There has been speculation that the prince's chances of being elected to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) next year hinged on his presence at the opening ceremony.

Constitutional experts said they doubted he could attend the ceremony if Copenhagen stayed away since that would suggest a split between the government and royals.

Foreign Minister Per Stig Moller told the online edition of the Politiken newspaper that a decision was not due until this summer.

The government's position was that "we call for a dialogue with the Dalai Lama, and are concerned with the human rights situation," Moller said, adding that Denmark would discuss the matter with other members of the European Union.

A poll published Monday suggested Danes support a boycott.

Culture Minister Brian Mikkelsen who also handles sports matters told broadcaster TV2 Sunday evening he was thinking about staying away from the opening ceremony.

In Norway, a similar debate has earlier taken place with Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg apparently ruling out a boycott while other members of his cabinet and leading politicians said Oslo should consider the option to underline concerns for events in Tibet.

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