Leaders from the Czech Republic and Poland have declined invitations to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing.

The Czech president, Vaclav Klaus, says those who voted to give the Games to China should not now be surprised that "China is what it is".

He and some Czech ministers will boycott the ceremony.

The Polish prime minister, Donald Tusk, says given China's conduct "the presence of politicians at the Games' inauguration seems inappropriate".

He'll try to convince other European Union countries that they should speak out more strongly on the issue of Tibet.

In London, the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, repeated that he may also boycott, but the British prime minister, Gordon Brown, said he will be there for the Games symbolic opening.

The French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, says his country is open to the prospect of a boycott of the opening Ceremony at the Beijing Olympics.

Our Europe correspondent, Rafael Epstein, reports the Olympics chief Jacques Rogge said he was "heartened" that no major government had backed a boycott of the Games.

In France there has been public anger over Beijing's actions in Tibet, and Mr Sarkozy says he would consider a boycott of the Beijing Olympics' opening ceremony if China refuses to open a dialogue with the Dalai Lama on Tibet

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

"I want a dialogue to start (between China and the Dalai Lama) and I will step up my response according to the response given by the Chinese authorities."

French media reports suggest will use its upcoming Presidency of the EU, to ask European nations to stay away from the high profile Games opening.

Australia calls for restraint


The Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith is standing firm in his opposition to any boycott of the Beijing Olympics.

Mr Smith says he understands Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, has been invited to the August 8 opening ceremony but isn't sure whether he's accepted yet.

Mr Smith says the Olympics should be used as part of China's engagement with the outside countries.

"In the past boycotts of the Olympics in my view have not been successful whether Australia's engaged in that or when other nation states have engaged in it," he said.

"The Olympics is a chance to put the spotlight on China but also to enhance China's engagement with the international community."