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PARIS - French President Nicolas Sarkozy suggested yesterday that a boycott of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics was a possibility, raising the prospect of punishing China over its ongoing crackdown in Tibet.

China, meanwhile, showed no sign of letting up on its crackdown. At least two people were killed in a clash between protesters and police in an area of western China that borders on Tibet, state media and human rights groups reported yesterday.

Sarkozy has faced rising criticism in France for his relative silence on the issue.

Asked whether he supported a boycott, Sarkozy said he could "not close the door to any possibility."

His aides confirmed that Sarkozy was talking only about the opening ceremony. His ministers have repeatedly said France does not support a boycott of the games.