Chinese army to guard torch from marauding Aussies?
Chinese authorities have suggested that their army is needed in the streets of our nation's capital during the Olympic torch run.
The route is set to take in some of Canberra and the nation's icons. The photo opportunity of torch-bearer Ian Thorpe flanked by armed Chinese military would certainly be a sight.
There was some unrest in Athens when the torch was there last week. Greek authorities reportedly did not tolerate attempts by Tibet supporters to stage a peaceful protest.
There will most certainly be groups in Australia who utilise the opportunity of the torch relay here to raise issues other than sport. This is their right - peaceful freedom of expression.
It's great to have the AOC firmly support this right. AOC spokesman Mike Tancred stated: "We have explained to the Chinese Embassy that people have a democratic right in Australia to stage demonstrations and people are free to demonstrate when the torch does arrive but we would hope that demonstrations are peaceful and won't disrupt the relay in any way," It is also reported that the Australian Federal Police did not see the need for such an 'offer'.
Canberra is the only Australian city on the torch's scheduled route. It will be there on 24 April hopefully sans Chinese military.
Comments
Tsering Tibetan | Posted on 9 April 2008, 06:30AM | Report comment
To Philip and people like Philip: We Tibetans are not a ‘few separatists’. How can we be? We were never part of China, how can China accuse us of separating something when we were never attached to anything??? Least of all the Communist China!!!
As far as the opposition to the torch is concerned, you might call a few people opposing it to be ignorant and rubbish. What do you say about thousands of people raising their voices against the torch? How can that many people be wrong??? Philip, open your eyes…please…and stop lying to yourself!
Tsering Tibetan | Posted on 9 April 2008, 06:28AM | Report comment
To Philip: Why do you think there is such an outrage against the Torch Relay 2008? Have you taken a minute to wonder about it in a genuinely honest way? Its one thing to be ignorant, but to be totally blind as well when there is enough evidence to show China’s true face is sheer stupidity. The US and other European countries make mistakes too, but their own people have the right to speak against their own goverments without being jailed or killed. The goverments also try and work with the public. No such luxury in China.
We Tibetans and you Communist Chinese have nothing in common! The only similarity is that both our races are Asian, a tool the Chinese goverment uses very well, to misrepresent true Tibetan sentiments.
We Tibetans are not just a few separatists. All Tibetans in Tibet and outside are unified in this struggle.
Tibet may not have been perfect in the past. What nation is? But it does not justify the Communist Chinese’s occupation.
Tom Spencer | Posted on 8 April 2008, 01:53PM | Report comment
Hi Philip!
As to your arguments, as opposed to your abuse:
1. Amnesty HAS campaigned against US human rights abuses in Iraq, well before US public opinion turned against President Bush.
2. I barely understand the basics of Buddhism, but according to Wikipedia the eight-fold Noble Path, morality (Sila) involves right speech - speaking in non-hurtful, not exaggerated, truthful way. How is calling all of us ‘idiots’ part of that tradition?
The venom you display shows that the Tibetans and their supporters are up against terrible malice.
Philip | Posted on 3 April 2008, 01:48AM | Report comment
To me ........... all the protest and rubbish campaigns is again China and her progress ... why not try your efforts against USA & his CIA ..... the pains and hardship cause to ordinary Iraqis and civillians ... the so called “war on terrors” ... do you think you all are bias. China should let them (idiots like you all)protest .... and let the Olympic Spirit die with it ... if people like to mix sports with so called politic, when the Olympic spirit or interrupted ... let it be ... what so big deal!! Let the WORLD BLAME THE COUNTRY OR COUNTRIES for failing to protect it sportman from carry the Torch relay run. China should keep the Beiqing Village for herself. The Olympic Movement will stand to LOSE ALOTS!! LET THE FINGERS POINTS AT YOU ALL. By the way do you understand Buddhism??
We Chinese & Tibetians have so many things in common BETTER THAN THE WESTERNS can understand!!! IT’S HISTORY AND THOUSANDS OLD!!!
Tom Spencer | Posted on 2 April 2008, 12:44PM | Report comment
Dear Amnesty
What’s the source of this story? I saw it on the ABC website, as a report that the Australian Government had responded to such a suggestion by the Chinese Government. Yet the story disappeared after a few hours.
It was never clear which Chinese Government agency had suggested putting troops on Australian streets.