May 30, 2008, 14:27 GMT
Monsters and Critics.com

Vienna - France is watching the progress of talks between China and representatives of the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled leader, before deciding on attending the opening of the Beijing Olympics, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Friday.

'There is progress, which is positive' Sarkozy said, after a meeting with Austria's Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer in Vienna.

France was aware that Tibet and the Olympics were sensitive issues in Europe, Sarkozy said, adding that France had 'open ears' for both sides.

He would continue to watch developments before making a final decision on whether to attend opening ceremony, the French president said.

French officials said on Friday according to news reports that the country was being targeted by Chinese tourism boycotts after protests in Paris disrupted the Olympic torch relay last month.

Gusenbauer said he generally disagreed with boycotting international events, but stressed the opening would be 'unthinkable' if marred by images of violence, for example from Tibet.

He had no plans to travel to the Beijing, as Austria's leaders never put much store in attending Olympic opening ceremonies, Gusenbauer said.

'I do not think we will change this policy,' he said.