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  • From: "Lawrence F. London, Jr." <lflj@intrex.net>
  • To: Biodynamic Food and Farming Discussion <bdnow@envirolink.org>, permaculture <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [permaculture] More Pro-Tibet protests anticipated along the route of the olympic torch in Greece.
  • Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2008 08:14:40 -0400


<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7321271.stm>
Last Updated: Sunday, 30 March 2008, 10:31 GMT 11:31 UK
High alert for Olympic handover
Protest at the Acropolis, Athens, 29 March
The route of the torch in Greece has been dogged by protests

Tight security is in place in Athens as about 20,000 people gather at a stadium to witness the handing over of the Olympic torch to Chinese officials.

The torch's passage through Greece since being lit on 24 March at Olympia has been dogged by protests on human rights and Tibet.

The torch will later travel to China by plane and be welcomed at a ceremony
in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on Monday.

It will then tour 20 countries before returning for the opening on 8 August.

Meanwhile exiled Tibetans in India's capital Delhi launched an "independence torch" to tour the world in an anti-China protest.

Route shortened

Sunday's formal handover ceremony will take place in the Panathinaiko Stadium.

See map of Olympic torch relay route

Police have warned they will confiscate all banners, signs or objects that may be thrown and arrest anyone who shows signs of protesting.

Protest at Olympia, 24 March
Pro-Tibetan activists disrupted the lighting ceremony

Pro-Tibetan activists disrupted the Olympia lighting ceremony, breaking through police lines and unfurling a Tibetan flag before being dragged away.

Greek organisers have altered the torch's route over the past few days to nullify protests. The torch has had a police guard and a group of runners to protect it.

Greek Olympic Committee spokesman Tassos Papachristou said Sunday's route had
been shortened.

"The flame will now run a small distance through the centre of Athens before [the handover ceremony] at 1500 (1200 GMT)," he said.

On Saturday there was a peaceful protest beneath the Acropolis.

Security has also been increased in Beijing for the Tiananmen Square ceremony, with a tightening of journalist accreditation.

There has been little movement internationally towards boycotting the Games, although French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said "all options are open" following the recent unrest in Tibet.

The Tibetan alternative torch was unveiled in Delhi on Sunday and will next go to San Francisco on 9 April, when the Olympic torch is expected to arrive.

Tibet's government-in-exile, based in India, says about 140 people were killed in the crackdown on recent unrest by Chinese security forces. Beijing disputes this, saying 19 people were killed by rioters.

OLYMPIC TORCH ROUTE
Olympic torch relay route
Torch lit in Olympia on 24 March and taken on five-day relay around Greece to
Athens
After handover ceremony, it is taken to Beijing on 31 March to begin a
journey of 136,800 km (85,000 miles) around the world
Torch arrives in Macao on 3 May. After three-month relay all around China, it arrives in Beijing for opening ceremony on 8 August

See detailed route on Beijing 2008 official site

TENSION IN TIBET

KEY STORIES

Foreign diplomats on Tibet visit
Bush calls Hu to urge talks
Olympic torch lit despite protest
Dalai Lama 'wants dialogue'

FEATURES AND ANALYSIS

Chinese paramilitary police in Zhongdian, Yunnan province Clamping down
Tibetan monk speaks out on round-up of protesters as unrest spreads

Tibetan monks: A controlled life
China's quandary
Dalai Lama's home off-limits
Tibet's unsettled borders

VIDEO REPORTS
Flag being held by protester Protests on day Olympic torch was lit
listen Jailed protester
watch Dalai Lama
watch Wen Jiabao

BACKGROUND

Key places and events
Guide: Inside Tibet
Q&A: China and Tibet
Profile: The Dalai Lama

EYEWITNESS

Tibetans describe unrest
Chinese react to violence
Lhasa now 'in cinders'
Monk 'kicked to the floor'


RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Beijing 2008
International Olympic Committee
Reporters Without Borders
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

TOP EUROPE STORIES
High alert for Olympic handover





  • [permaculture] More Pro-Tibet protests anticipated along the route of the olympic torch in Greece., Lawrence F. London, Jr., 03/30/2008

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