Sarkozy sets terms for Olympic attendance

(CNN) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy will not attend the opening ceremony of this summer's Olympic Games in Beijing unless China opens a dialogue with the Dalai Lama, a French Cabinet minister told the French newspaper Le Monde on Saturday.

The French secretary of state for human rights, Rama Yade, said Sarkozy has three "essential" conditions for attending the ceremony: the end of violence against Tibetans and the release of political prisoners; clarifying the Tibetan events, and opening dialogue with the Dalai Lama.

Sarkozy's office said Saturday that Yade spoke as a government member, but the office would not confirm the president's position.

Yade's remarks came two days before the Olympic flame passes through Paris.

When asked last month about the possibility of boycotting the opening ceremony, Sarkozy said: "I don't close the door to any option, but I think it's more prudent to reserve my responses to concrete developments in the situation."

He added: "All options are open, but I appeal to the sense of responsibility of the Chinese leaders."

His office later released a statement saying Sarkozy was referring to the opening ceremony of the games.

China has come under international criticism because of its crackdown last month on pro-democracy protesters in Tibet and neighboring Chinese provinces. The protests have been timed to coincide with the run-up to the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing in August.

Tibet's self-proclaimed government-in-exile in northern India puts the death toll from the protests at about 140, but the Chinese government restrictions make it difficult to confirm that number.

Chinese authorities have reported a death toll of 19, and say most of those killed were "innocent victims" -- Han Chinese targeted by Tibetans.

When asked last month about Sarkozy's comments regarding a possible boycott, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said the games should not be politicized.

"We hope to enhance mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation with other peoples through the games," Qin said in a statement on the ministry's Web site.

"We must follow the purpose of the Olympics and not politicize the games. We believe, with the support of people worldwide, the Beijing Olympics will surely be a success." E-mail to a friend