China denies it is failing to keep the Olympic Games and politics
separate after a Communist party official criticized the Dalai Lama at
a torch relay ceremony in Tibet.
The Chinese foreign ministry
Thursday said the official's comments did not contradict China's
opposition to politicizing the Olympics.
The ministry said the comments were meant to create a stable environment for the Olympics.
Earlier Thursday, the International Olympic Committee urged the Beijing Organizing
Committee for the Olympic games to make sure such situations do not
happen again.
The IOC said it regrets that the political
statements were made during the closing torch relay ceremony Saturday
in Tibet's capital, Lhasa.
Anti-Chinese government riots that erupted in Lhasa in March sparked a harsh crackdown by Chinese troops.
The
crackdown led to chaotic demonstrations at several stops on the
international leg of the torch relay for the Beijing Olympics that
begin in August.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
