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Thousands gather for torch relay07:03 AEST Thu Apr 24 200833 minutes agoVIEWS: 0| FLOCKS: 0| 0 comments so far
The Olympic torch is carried by executives. (AAP)
Security personnel escort the flame. (AAP)
A spare Olympic torch flame. (AAP)
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Thousands of people were early this morning moving towards the centre of Canberra for the start of today's long-awaited Olympic torch relay.
Even before sun-up, Reconciliation Place on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin - from where the relay will start shortly before 9am (AEST) - was packed with noisy but well-behaved spectators, with more arriving by the minute.
Central Canberra also seemed packed with buses used to transport visitors from Sydney and other capital cities.
Hundreds of people were walking from central Canberra along routes leading to the relay start.
Many of those in Canberra for the occasion appeared to be young Chinese, many waving red Chinese flags.
Cars driving around Canberra also displayed Chinese flags, creating a football grand final-like atmosphere.
It appears those protesting in favour of Tibet against Chinese human rights abuses are greatly outnumbered.
However, there'll still be a very substantial police presence to ensure the relay proceeds smoothly.
Olympic relay committee chairman Ted Quinlan told ABC Radio the presence of large numbers of pro-China visitors appeared to be a well-organised move to carry the day by sheer weight of numbers.
Mr Quinlan admitted the number of China supporters had come as a surprise to organisers.
"We didn't expect this reaction from the Chinese community which is obviously a well-coordinated plan to take the day by weight of numbers," he said.
"We have assurances that it will be done peacefully."
Subject to the weather, Greens leader Bob Brown, a longtime Tibet supporter, was planning to have the words "Free Tibet" written in the sky over Parliament House about 9am.
Senator Brown was also planning to address a pro-Tibet rally organised by the Australia Tibet Council and Tibetan community on the lawn in front of Parliament House this morning.
As well as pro-China and pro-Tibet demonstrators, there was also a smaller group in Reconciliation Place protesting for a free Turkmenistan, ABC Radio reported.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has backed Australia's decision to not allow Chinese torch attendants to be involved in security for today's relay in Canberra.
The torch is on the Asian stretch of a world tour that was severely disrupted in Europe and the United States by protesters complaining about China's rule in Tibet and its human rights record.
[ 本帖最后由 paypal 于 2008-4-24 07:39 编辑 ] |
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