"The boycott in Moscow [in 1980] was a mistake and to repeat that could be the worst answer to the situation."
Lemke, who on Tuesday was appointed the UN's new Special Representative for Sports and Development, will visit China "as soon as possible" to evaluate the situation related to the unrest in Tibet.
"We will use all possibility of diplomacy to make sure the Olympic Games will pass peacefully."
Willie Lemke,
UN special representative for sports and development |
A week of protests against China's 57-year rule of the region erupted into rioting in Lhasa last Friday, and demonstrations have since spilled over into nearby Chinese provinces with ethnic Tibetan populations.
China said rioters killed 13 innocent civilians in Lhasa while denying that it used deadly force to end the protests, while exiled Tibetan leaders have said about 100 people were believed to have been killed in the Chinese crackdown.
Lemke, 61, said human rights and the recent unrest is the "main problem" which will occupy him in the forthcoming months.
A peaceful Games
The former manager of German football club Werder Bremen said his job in China is to "very carefully evaluate what is happening in the country and what that signifies for the Olympic Games during the competition.
"My task is to advise the UN Secretary General of the situation in China," he added.
"I am only going with the strength of words and peaceful thoughts for the Olympic Games.
"The United Nations will not be sword-rattling there.
"We will use all possibility of diplomacy to make sure the Olympic Games will pass peacefully."
The Games of the 29th Olympiad are scheduled for August 8 to 24.