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Olympic torch to arrive in London Olympic flame arrives in London
(about 12 hours later)
The Olympic torch is due to arrive in London from St Petersburg as part of its journey to the Beijing 2008 games. The Olympic flame has arrived in London ahead of a torch relay when it will be paraded through the streets.
Chinese ambassador Fu Ying and Minister for the Olympics Tessa Jowell were at Heathrow to welcome a delegation who carried a lantern holding the flame.
On Sunday 80 athletes, entertainers and dignitaries will carry the torch by relay on a 31-mile long journey through the capital's streets.On Sunday 80 athletes, entertainers and dignitaries will carry the torch by relay on a 31-mile long journey through the capital's streets.
But activists critical of the Chinese government have vowed to stage protests along the route of the procession. Activists critical of the Chinese government have vowed to hold protests.
The Metropolitan Police said that 2,000 officers would be mobilised to maintain order along the route of the relay. Speaking after she greeted the Chinese delegation, Mrs Jowell told the BBC she hoped the protests would be peaceful.
See a map of the torch relay route
She said: "Tomorrow is about celebrating the spirit of the Olympics in a context, yes, of where the eyes of the world are on China and where protest at the relationship between China and Tibet will be very much the focus.
"But what we have to recognise is that Londoners can mark and celebrate the Olympic torch relay without any suggestion the government is condoning what is happening in China."
Gordon Brown should be using this opportunity to send a very strong message to China that it is abusing its role as custodian of Olympic values Matt WhitticaseFree Tibet campaign Brown rules out Beijing boycott
The Metropolitan Police said 2,000 officers would be mobilised to maintain order along the route of the relay.
A spokesman said Scotland Yard had heard from six organisations, including the Free Tibet movement, the Falun Gong spiritual group and the Burma campaign, which were planning to send a total of up to 500 demonstrators.A spokesman said Scotland Yard had heard from six organisations, including the Free Tibet movement, the Falun Gong spiritual group and the Burma campaign, which were planning to send a total of up to 500 demonstrators.
Gordon Brown should be using this opportunity to send a very strong message to China that it is abusing its role as custodian of Olympic values Matt WhitticaseFree Tibet campaign Commander Bob Broadhurst said: "There are plans and I would say to those that do come to demonstrate, 'Do so lawfully and we'll allow it, but if you try and disrupt the torch or you try and grab the torch we'll be there to stop you, so please don't do it'."
'Celebration of sport'
Free Tibet spokesman Matt Whitticase said: "What worries me and many other protesters is the way in which China is draping itself in Olympic values and talking about a journey of harmony with this torch relay, whilst at the very same time, as has been reported this morning, the Chinese government is killing Tibetans in Tibet."Free Tibet spokesman Matt Whitticase said: "What worries me and many other protesters is the way in which China is draping itself in Olympic values and talking about a journey of harmony with this torch relay, whilst at the very same time, as has been reported this morning, the Chinese government is killing Tibetans in Tibet."
Tibetan exile groups claim at least eight people were killed when security forces fired on civilians in Sichuan province, western China, on Thursday, while the state Xinhua news agency says a government official was seriously injured by rioters.Tibetan exile groups claim at least eight people were killed when security forces fired on civilians in Sichuan province, western China, on Thursday, while the state Xinhua news agency says a government official was seriously injured by rioters.
Mr Whitticase told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that it was regrettable that Prime Minister Gordon Brown was to welcome the torch in Downing Street.
See a map of the torch relay route
"He should be using this opportunity to send a very strong message to China that it is abusing its role as custodian of Olympic values," Mr Whitticase said.
"He should be saying, 'Sort out your problems in Tibet and improve your human rights record there,' instead of receiving this torch, which is undoubtedly tainted by China's actions inside Tibet."
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg told Five Live that it was "wholly inappropriate" for the prime minister to take part in the London torch ceremony.
"Equally I think it would be wrong of him, if there wasn't any great change in the stance of the Chinese government, to take any role in the opening ceremony of the Games themselves," Mr Clegg said.
Mr Brown has ruled out a boycott of the Beijing Games.
'Celebration of sport'
Sir Steve Redgrave, Tim Henman, Dame Kelly Holmes and Kevin Pietersen will be among the 80 torch bearers as it is carried miles through 10 London boroughs on Sunday.
But Comedian Francesca Martinez pulled out after she decided that talking part would legitimise the Chinese government's role in Tibet.
The five-time Olympic gold winner will launch the London relayThe five-time Olympic gold winner will launch the London relay
Torch bearer Duncan Mackay, a sports journalist at the Observer newspaper, told Today that he had considered dropping out of the relay. Sir Steve Redgrave, Tim Henman, Dame Kelly Holmes and Kevin Pietersen will be among the 80 torch bearers as it is carried miles through 10 London boroughs on Sunday.
"I am appalled by what is happening in Tibet and the Chinese record on human rights, and it is something that I have searched my conscience about, whether it is the right thing to do. But comedian Francesca Martinez pulled out after she decided that talking part would legitimise the Chinese government's role in Tibet.
"After a great deal of thought I have decided to go ahead," he said. The torch was lit in Olympia, Greece, last week and will go through 20 countries before being carried into the Beijing Games opening ceremony on 8 August.
"I think this is as much about the Olympics and the celebration of sport, as much as it is about Beijing hosting the Olympics." The Metropolitan Police will also have Chinese interpreters on hand and any insulting banners will be confiscated, a BBC correspondent said.
Counter-demonstrations
The torch was lit in Olympia, Greece, on Sunday and will go through 20 countries before being carried into the Beijing Games opening ceremony on 8 August.
China has denied its ambassador will pull out of the Olympic torch relay through London on Sunday.
It had been reported that Fu Ying would withdraw, with protests planned over the Chinese government's treatment of Tibetan demonstrators.
But the Chinese embassy in London now says the ambassador has "no intention" of pulling out of the event.
Hundreds of Chinese students in the UK are planning counter-demonstrations in support of the Beijing games.
The Metropolitan Police said it was aware of plans to disrupt the torch procession on Sunday.
Cmdr Bob Broadhurst said: "There are plans and I would say to those that do come to demonstrate, 'Do so lawfully and we'll allow it, but if you try and disrupt the torch or you try and grab the torch we'll be there to stop you, so please don't do it'."
The police will also have Chinese interpreters on hand and any insulting banners will be confiscated, a BBC correspondent said.
There were scuffles between police and pro-Tibet protesters when the torch was handed to Chinese officials in Athens at the end of last month.There were scuffles between police and pro-Tibet protesters when the torch was handed to Chinese officials in Athens at the end of last month.
Hundreds of Chinese students in the UK are planning counter-demonstrations in support of the Beijing games.
LONDON TORCH RELAY 6 APRIL 1: Wembley 1030BST2: Ladbroke Grove 11003: British Museum 12204: China Town 12305: Trafalgar Square 12506: Southbank Centre 13307: Somerset House 1415 8: St Paul's Cathedral 14309: Potter's Fields 150010: Whitechapel Road 153011: Stratford 160012: Canary Wharf 170013: North Greenwich 1800 Source: Mayor of LondonLONDON TORCH RELAY 6 APRIL 1: Wembley 1030BST2: Ladbroke Grove 11003: British Museum 12204: China Town 12305: Trafalgar Square 12506: Southbank Centre 13307: Somerset House 1415 8: St Paul's Cathedral 14309: Potter's Fields 150010: Whitechapel Road 153011: Stratford 160012: Canary Wharf 170013: North Greenwich 1800 Source: Mayor of London
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Will you be going to see the Olympic torch pass through London? Will you be taking part in the any of the protests on Sunday? Send us your comments using the form below:Will you be going to see the Olympic torch pass through London? Will you be taking part in the any of the protests on Sunday? Send us your comments using the form below:
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