Stay classy

Bit of a dodgy caption in today's HK Standard.

The UK's convenient boycott

A couple of days ago I read a couple of 'breaking news' headlines that the UK government would be boycotting England's games at Euro 2012, hosted by Ukraine and Poland. No, not because an accused racist was playing for the team, nor because they felt that 'Arry Redknapp should have been given the England manager's job.

Foreign Secretary William Hague said that the decision was taken in response to the Ukrainian government's treatment of jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko. All of England's group games will be played in Ukraine.

It's an admirable stand against political impression by a government who has shown a lack of maturity and clarity of vision over the past couple of years. After a couple of decades of cosying up to the big guys (ie, Murdoch, News Corp, et al.), they look like they are sticking up for the little guy.

But a foreign office spokesman then said: "We are keeping attendance at later stages of the tournament under review in the light of ministers' busy schedules ahead of the Olympics and widespread concerns about selective justice and the rule of law in Ukraine."

Eh?

Suddenly it all becomes clear. No government ministers want to be associated with an England team that is expected to bomb at the Euros. That there is a convenient political oppression angle there too helps to cover this up rather nicely.

"Attendance at later stages of the tournament?" I assume that means 'Should England do unexpectedly well at the Euros, we reserve the right to show up and bask in their reflected glory.'

If England advance to the semi-finals or finals (two of these three games will be played in Ukraine), I fully expect David Cameron and George Osborne to get in on the action faster than John Terry at the Allianz Arena.

Remember these?

George Osborne. There because he says he is a Chelsea fan. But apparently British taxpayers paid his air fare.

David Cameron at the G8 meeting in Camp David. I suppose having everyone stand up made for a better photo.

Caveat: luckily for all involved, England are not actually that good so a decision probably won't need to be made.

23 years later, nothing has changed

The supposed suicide of Tiananmen activist Li Wangyang (there is some debate as to whether he committed suicide or was murdered) is a timely reminder of China's inherent insecurity and mistrust of its own citizens.

Twenty-three years after the 1989 massacre, the Chinese government still refuses to acknowledge that any students were murdered and actively suppresses information from filtering through to its population.

Li Wangyang spent 20 years in prison for 'inciting subversion', being held in solitary confinement and beaten bloody on many occasions, according to human rights groups.

Health issues or a feeling of disillusionment at his country's refusal to tolerate opposition could have led to his suicide, but the blame still lies with the Chinese government.

If he was murdered, as some are suggesting, then he is yet another unacknowledged victim of the Chinese government's Tiananmen Square massacre.