Clashes as Olympic torch begins route through San Francisco
China insists Tibet leg of Olympic torch relay will go ahead
Wednesday, 09, Apr 2008 08:30
There have been early clashes as the Olympic torch begins its route through San Francisco.
Reports claim that at least one pro-Tibetan demonstrator has been arrested after scuffles with pro-Chinese protestors.
It has also been alleged, during the lead-up to the torch's procession through the US city, that the route has been curtailed from six miles to just three due to the huge number of protestors lining the streets.
Elsewhere, Downing Street announced tonight that prime minister Gordon Brown would not be attending the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.
A spokeswoman said that Mr Brown was not boycotting any part of the games and would be attending the closing ceremony.
Instead, minister for the Olympics and London Tessa Jowell will attend the opening ceremony in Beijing on August 8th.
US president George Bush earlier urged Beijing to begin dialogue with the Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama
"It would stand the Chinese government in good stead if they would begin a dialogue with the representatives of the Dalai Lama," Mr Bush said after meeting with the Singapore senior minister Goh Chok Tong.
"They'll find if they ever were to reach out to the Dalai Lama they'd find him to be a really fine man, peaceful man, a man who is anti-violence."
It was announced by the region's chairman today that the Tibet leg of the Olympic torch relay will go ahead as planned.
Qiangba Puncog's insistence comes despite the likelihood of protests in San Francisco tonight and after anti-China demonstrations in London and Paris.
China has already vowed to "severely punish" anyone activists planning to demonstrate as torchbearers travel through China.
"I have noticed that recently some secessionists made some activities in London and Paris," Mr Qiangba told state media.
"I don't doubt [protestors] will create trouble during the torch relay in Tibet," Mr Qiangba said.
The Olympic torch is due to travel through Tibet on June 19th to 21st.
Dozens of people were arrested in the UK and French capitals as attempts were made to grab the flame from torchbearers, leading to the torch being extinguished in Paris.
The relay through San Francisco, which has the largest Chinese community of any major US city, is expected to begin at around 13:00 local time (20:00 BST).
On Monday seven demonstrators were arrested for attaching a huge "free Tibet" banner on to the cables of the Golden Gate Bridge.
The International Olympic Committee is meeting in Beijing this week to decide whether to scrap the remaining overseas legs of the torch relay.
Activists have been protesting against China's rule in Tibet, where earlier this year demonstrations were suppressed by troops.
The Tibetan government in exile says Chinese security forces opened fire on marchers, while Beijing said the protests were a law and order issue involving rioters.