Pelosi urges Democrats to decide
US House speaker says one candidate should drop out if race drags on through summer.
In focus |
Pelosi said it would be harmful for so-called superdelegates – senior Democratic officials who cast deciding votes if the neither candidate can secure an outright victory – to go against the choice of the party.
Your Views |
Could the Tibetan protests derail China’s plans for a smooth run-up to the Beijing Olympics? |
Security has been very tight after anti-government rallies last month in Tibet and the exact route of the relay – set to include an ascent of Mount Everest in the troubled region – will be kept secret to prevent any potential protesters from getting close.
Pro-Tibet protesters around the world have been demanding that the IOC and world leaders boycott the games.
Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, was the first European leader to suggest a boycott of the opening ceremony to protest against China‘s handling of the unrest in Tibet.
Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, is skipping the Olympics altogether.
The White House has said Bush would not boycott the Olympics because of the crackdown, arguing that the games are supposed to be about the athletes, not politics.
But Pelosi said “the president might want to rethink this later, depending on what other heads of state do”.