Former Swedish minister calls for Olympic boycott

Part A:

I: Former Swedish minister calls for Olympic boycott, The Local, 3/27/08
http://www.thelocal.se/10734/20080327/

II: Sweden has been an active human rights country for years. Sweden's former minister of Justice suggested boycotting all ceremonies associated with the Olympics in an effort to make a statement against China's actions in Tibet. Since Sweden has been such a human rights activist, they hope by boycotting the ceremonies they will be able to have their voice heard. They still believe they should participate in the athletic events, but they would not attend any ceremonies. The former minister hopes to deprive China of the public relation success Hitler recieved in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. He believes China is violating human rights on a daily basis and hopes that by boycotting the ceremonies his country will still prove its atheletic significance, but make a statement about its disapprovement of the activities in Tibet especially those towards Tibetan monks.

III:
a: This article relates to the theme "Impact of interaction among and within major societies."
b: China claims that Tibet has always been a part of China, however there was a treaty that was engraved on three stone pillars which ended nearly 200 years of fighting. The treaty ensured that borders of Tibet and China were clearly marked and a stone pillar was erected at the border, in front of the Chinese emperor's palace and one in Lhasa. China also claims that after the unification under the Mongol empire, China and Tibet merged into one country again. But Tibet had nearly 1500 years of independence, and China still wants Tibet to be a part of China, however Tibetans would prefer their independence.
c/d: The POV is a staff writer for "The Local." Since this newspaper is Swedish, the writer may be more inclined to support his country's boycott of the Olympics and may make China out to sound worse than it actually is.
e: I would like to hear from a Chinese official who is dealing with the issues in Tibet because they may know more of the story behind the countries than what has been available to the public.
f: I agree with Sweden and I think that what China is doing in Tibet, especially to the monks is unacceptable. I think Sweden would make a good decision by boycotting the Olympic ceremonies because they will be able to participate in the Games and will show off their athletes while maintaining their conscience by making a statement about the human rights violations occuring in Tibet. There has been a lot of discussion about several countries boycotting the Games, and Sweden is the first that I've heard to come up with a solution that doesn't take away from their athletes who have probably worked their whole life to be able to participate in the Games, but the country will still be able to express its opinion on an international issue.