President Bush Disappoints darfur activists

July 07, 2008

     In spite of outcries from human rights groups everywhere, U.S. President George W. Bush has announced that he plans to attend the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games. According to President Bush, he has made his decision based on a need and desire to cheer on the American athletes and sees no purpose in turning the Olympic Games into anything political.

     Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy is more than disappointed in President Bush’s decision. As a diplomat, President Bush should know full well the opportunities presented by the Olympic Games to definitively get a point across. The idea that the Olympics are only sports has no business occurring in the mind of the man who is supposed to control the foreign affairs of our country. If President Bush is going to the Olympic Games to cheer on our athletes as he claims, then why is it that US Olympic athletes themselves, such as speed skater Joey Cheek and Long Run competitor Lopez Lomong are using their spotlight as Olympic competitors to take a stand against human rights violations in Darfur? If President Bush boycotted the opening ceremonies in order to do the same, I’m sure the athletes would respect his absence and other leaders who are concerned about Darfur would respect his decision and follow in his footsteps. As a result China will have no other option than to use its influence to pressure the government of Sudan to stop the genocide in Darfur, thus allowing peacekeepers into Darfur. This would afford China the opportunity to play a positive role in ending the genocide, and to honor the people of Darfur and all those who have been working for peace in Darfur. President Bush through his decision to attend the opening ceremonies has shattered the hopes of those campaigning for China to play a positive role in Darfur.