Political Quotes

“I wanted to speak briefly about the decision made last Friday to hold the next Olympics in Beijing, the 2008 games. Our Government was not involved in that. It is not a government-to-government kind of decision. But I am hopeful the fact that the United States did not, as a nation, weigh in on that decision--I am hopeful that did not send a signal to the leaders in Beijing that the U.S. Government either supports what that Chinese Government leadership does or does not object to many of the things which are done by that Government that violate human rights and in other ways suggest the country of China is not yet willing to join the family of nations. I wanted to note a few of the activities of this recent Chinese Government that suggest to me the United States needs to take a very firm position with respect to China. That is why I say I am hopeful this decision that the Olympics go to China not be mistaken for U.S. support for what China has done.”