France's Sarkozy does not rule out Olympics boycott

TARBES, France (Reuters) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy urged China on Tuesday to show responsibility over the unrest in Tibet and refused to rule out a boycott of the Beijing Olympic Games.

"I don't close the door to any option, but I think it's more prudent to reserve my responses to concrete developments in the situation," Sarkozy said, when asked about a possible boycott.

"All options are open but I appeal to the sense of responsibility of Chinese authorities," he said.

France has called for an end to the violence, in which Tibet's government-in-exile says 140 people have been killed but like other western governments, it has so far rejected the idea of boycotting the games.

Sarkozy said China had to understand worldwide concern over the situation and he said action would depend on how its leaders responded.

"I want dialogue to begin and I will graduate my response according to the response given by Chinese authorities," he said.

Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has called on China to let foreign media into Tibet and on Tuesday called for an end to China's "repression" of dissent in Tibet.