United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon may not attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, joining a growing number of world leaders who are declining invitations to the August event.
"The secretary-general had conveyed to the Chinese government some months ago that he may not be in a position to accept the invitation to attend this important event due to scheduling issues," spokeswoman Marie Okabe said in a news conference on Thursday.
Asked whether Ban would not be attending the Olympics, the spokeswoman said, "Yes, that's correct."
Ban is, however, planning "a substantive visit to China" instead, Okabe said. She declined to give details about what the scheduling conflict was.
Activists have called for leaders to boycott the Summer Games, which run from Aug. 8-24, to protest Beijing's human rights record and reaction to deadly protests in Tibet. Several leaders plan to skip the opening ceremonies.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have said they are not attending the opening ceremony, while French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he will make a decision closer to the day. A spokesperson for Brown said the prime minister's decision was made earlier and isn't aimed at being a message of protest.
U.S. Democratic presidential candidate hopefuls Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton both called on President George W. Bush to boycott the ceremony.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he doesn't plan to attend the ceremony but Canada will not boycott the Olympics.
The European Parliament on Thursday urged European Union countries to consider boycotting the opening ceremony if China doesn't resume talks with the Dalai Lama.
Also on Thursday, the Olympic torch arrived in Argentina for the next leg of the worldwide torch relay. Thousands of police were ready to guard the symbolic flame during its trek through Buenos Aires.
Officials are worried about anti-China protests after torch runs in other cities resulted in scuffles and chaos. Protesters in Buenos Aires warned of "surprise non-violent actions" when the torch is run through the city on Friday.
During the torch relay's last segment in San Francisco, the route was abruptly changed and cut in half to thwart demonstrators.
With files from the Associated PressShare Tools
Top News Headlines
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges
- The estranged partner of a young mother who was stabbed to death along with her parents at their home in Aylmer, Que., has been charged with first-degree murder Friday. more »
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- B.C. Premier Christy Clark says she is not happy with the RCMP decision to transfer a disgraced Alberta Mountie to the West Coast. more »
- The risks and responsibilities of taking on Mt. Everest
- The deaths of five climbers last weekend on Mt. Everest, with more summits underway this weekend, fuels the debate about the risks and responsibilities of high altitude climbing. more »
- Henrique's OT goal sends Devils into Stanley Cup final
- The New Jersey Devils will vie for a potential fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history after defeating the New York Rangers in six games in the Eastern final, courtesy of rookie Adam Henrique's goal early in overtime. more »
Latest World News Headlines
- What a Greek euro exit could mean for Canada
- A tumultuous Greek exit from the eurozone would have a harder impact on Canada's economy than the credit crisis recession of 2008 and 2009, a report from a major Canadian bank warns. more »
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
- The husband of a Toronto woman who died trying to climb Mt. Everest on Saturday says his family is not seeking government help to cover the cost of bringing his wife's body home. more »
- The risks and responsibilities of taking on Mt. Everest
- The deaths of five climbers last weekend on Mt. Everest, with more summits underway this weekend, fuels the debate about the risks and responsibilities of high altitude climbing. more »
- Canadian restrained on flight to Miami arrested
- A 24-year-old Canadian man is in federal custody for rushing toward the front of an American Airlines flight from Jamaica after the plane landed in Miami. more »
Dispatches »
- Foreign slaves serving the U.S. military machine May. 24, 2012 3:33 PM How does a hairdresser recruited for work in Dubai, wind up slaving for the U.S. military in a war zone in Iraq? There are tens of thousands serving in what's come to be known as America's "Invisible Army."
Connect Newsroom Blog
Etan Patz, Brian Banks & 50 Shades of Grey May. 25, 2012 8:56 PM On his first full day of his new life, former football star Brian Banks joins us live.
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges
- Everest victim's husband says family not seeking government help
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- Third B.C. salmon farm quarantined
- What a Greek euro exit could mean for Canada
- RCMP officer charged in fatal crash
- Canada ending 'Buffalo shuffle' for visas, closing consulate
- Reclaiming the dead on Mt. Everest
- Employment Insurance review boards to be scrapped
