France is watching
the progress of talks between China and representatives of the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled leader, before deciding on attending the opening of the Beijing Olympics,
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Friday.
"There is progress, which is positive" Sarkozy said, after a meeting
with Austria's Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer in Vienna.
France was aware that Tibet and the Olympics were sensitive issues in Europe,
Sarkozy said, adding that France had "open ears" for both sides.
He would continue to watch developments before making a final decision on
whether to attend opening ceremony, the French president said.
French officials said on Friday according to news reports that the country was
being targeted by Chinese tourism boycotts after protests in Paris disrupted
the Olympic torch relay last month.
Gusenbauer said he generally disagreed with boycotting international events,
but stressed the opening would be "unthinkable" if marred by images
of violence, for example from Tibet.
He had no plans to travel to the Beijing, as Austria's leaders never put much
store in attending Olympic opening ceremonies, Gusenbauer said.
"I do not think we will change this policy," he said, according to dpa reported.