Sarkozy defends Olympics trip as criticism mounts

STRASBOURG, France (Reuters) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy insisted on Thursday he had the backing of all European capitals for his controversial decision to attend the opening of the Beijing Olympics. The Elysee Palace announcement on Wednesday that Sarkozy would attend the ceremony next month on behalf of the 27-member European Union triggered accusations he was undermining EU efforts to pressure China on its human rights record. Defending the move in the European Parliament, Sarkozy said that as the current holder of the EU presidency, he had sought approval from all member states for the trip. "All the member states gave their agreement for me to participate in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games," he told the assembly, whose president on Wednesday vowed to snub the Games' August 8 opening. Sarkozy argued it... [read full story]