U.S. Relations With the People's Republic of China (2008)

The White House

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 11, 2008

Press Briefing by Scott Stanzel

Crawford Elementary School
Crawford, Texas

11:31 A.M. CDT

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

Q: Senator McCain says that he would not go to the opening session of the Olympics unless the Chinese changed their policies on human rights. Has the President's position changed at all?

MR. STANZEL: The President's position on the Olympics has not changed. First of all, the President believes that everyone around the world should have the right to express their views freely and openly, and that's something that the President talks frequently with leaders in China about. That is a discussion that the President has had and will have before the Olympics, will have during the Olympics, and will have after the Olympics.

I should note that in terms of the Dalai Lama and the situation in Tibet, the President, as you all know, was the first President to appear in public with the Dalai Lama. But in terms of the President's plans, they have not changed. He plans to go to the Olympics to support American athletes who are there competing.

Q: Will he go to the Opening Ceremony?

MR. STANZEL: We haven't -- as you know, we haven't made any announcements about the President's specific schedule, so I would just tell you to stay tuned for that.

Yes.

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Q: The Dalai Lama is in the U.S. this weekend. Any plans for the President to reach out to him, phone call?

MR. STANZEL: I don't know of any. I understand the Dalai Lama is in Seattle for a period of time. The President, as you know, has met frequently with the Dalai Lama, but I don't have any updates in terms of phone calls that may be made. But I can certainly keep you posted.

Q: And as current plans stand, is it possible the President will go to the Olympics, but not go to the Opening Ceremonies?

MR. STANZEL: We haven't announced his schedule for that period of time. So I would just tell you to stay tuned.

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

Q: Scott, with the Pope's visit, would you expect any sort of joint statement by the President and the Pope concerning Tibet and China?

MR. STANZEL: Stay tuned, Roger. Obviously they'll be having a meeting in the Oval Office. As part of their discussion, they'll have some time one on one, but in terms of any statements, just stay tuned. I don't have anything for you at this point.

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

END

11:45 A.M. CDT