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Canberra braced for torch relay Tussles at Canberra torch relay
(about 1 hour later)
The Australian capital, Canberra, is braced for protests ahead of the Olympic torch's latest leg of its troubled progress around the world. There have been scuffles between pro-Tibet protesters and China supporters at the start of the Olympic torch relay in Canberra, Australia.
Security has been stepped up amid fears of a repeat of the anti-China protests that blighted relays in London, Paris and San Francisco. Parts of the city have been sealed off with a steel fence to block anti-China demonstrations like those at the relays in London, Paris and San Francisco.
The relay starts within hours but some acts of protest have already started. Australian PM Kevin Rudd says the authorities will come down "like a tonne of bricks" on violent protesters.
Australian PM Kevin Rudd says the authorities will come down "like atonne of bricks" on violent protesters. But reporters say Chinese supporters heavily outnumber pro-Tibet protesters.
The torch arrived at an air force base in Canberra on Wednesday before being taken to an undisclosed location. The torch relay began with an aboriginal welcome ceremony and aboriginal youth leader Tania Major was the first of 80 torchbearers carrying the flame on its 16 km (10-mile) journey around the Australian capital.
A metre-high wire fence has been erected along the route of the procession, which has been shortened because of concerns about security. Hundreds of police will be deployed. Police arrested three protesters who ran out in front of the torch - though the relay was not disrupted.
Long walk And at least five people were arrested in tussles between Chinese supporters and pro-Tibetan protesters.
Demonstrators against Chinese rule in Tibet and Beijing's human rights record are expected along the route, as well as pro-China protestors expressing support for the Beijing Games in August. Chinese guards removed
Activists in Sydney unfurled a banner over a billboard for Coca-Cola - an Olympic sponsor - urging China to open talks with exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. Police said they charged four people with trespassing and released them on bail. There was also wrangling between the jogging Australian police officers surrounding the flame and the Chinese security guards accompanying the torch.
Advertisement Australia's government has been insistent that its officers provide protection for the flame, not the phalanx of blue-suited Chinese guards who are travelling with the torch.
If any protester irrespective of their political point of view engages in unruly, disruptive, violent, unlawful behaviour then the police will come down on them like a tonne of bricks Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
The Australian police officers repeatedly pulled the two Chinese guards trying to run with the torch away from their positions alongside the torchbearers.
Organisers shortened the route amid security fears and abandoned plans to run the flame past the Chinese embassy, fearing it could become a flashpoint for protests.
Pro-Tibetan campaigners held a candle-lit vigil outside the embassy ahead of the relay. They included five Tibetans who had walked 70km (43 miles) from a small town called Bungendore in rural New South Wales to Canberra to meet the torch.
In Sydney, Australia's most populous city, activists unfurled a banner on Wednesday over a billboard for Coca-Cola - an Olympic sponsor - urging China to open talks with exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. Police said they charged four people with trespassing and released them on bail.
Warning
About 500 police are on hand to guard the Canberra relay and crowd control barriers have been set up along the route.
"We are determined that this torch will run its full route," the Australian Capital Territory's police chief Mike Phelan was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying.
Protesters in Sydney unfurl a banner before being led away by policeProtesters in Sydney unfurl a banner before being led away by police
Pro-Tibetan campaigners gathered outside the Chinese embassy in Canberra for a candle-lit vigil ahead of the relay. They included five Tibetans that had walked 70km (43 miles) from a small town called Bungendore in rural New South Wales to Canberra to meet the torch. Warning against violence, Australia's prime minister, Mr Rudd said: "What I can say loud and clear, if any protester irrespective of their political point of view engages in unruly, disruptive, violent, unlawful behaviour then the police will come down on them like a tonne of bricks.
Organisers have abandoned plans to run the flame past the embassy, fearing it could become a flashpoint for protests.
Confusion
Warning against violence, Mr Rudd said: "What I can say loud and clear, if any protester irrespective of their political point of view engages in unruly, disruptive, violent, unlawful behaviour then the police will come down on them like a tonne of bricks.
I'd just like to think that if you're going to protest on issues like this, that it shouldn't be centred around a particular event Ian ThorpeOlympian
"Peaceful protest, yes - violent protest, under no circumstances.""Peaceful protest, yes - violent protest, under no circumstances."
The BBC's Phil Mercer in Sydney says there has been confusion about the role of Chinese guards who are travelling with the torch.
The Australian government has insisted they will have no security role in Canberra, while the Chinese Ambassador has said they may have to intervene if the flame is attacked, he says.
But the Australian Capitol Territory's police chief, Mike Phelan, told reporters that local police would be solely responsible for safeguarding the torch.
Government and Olympic officials were on hand to welcome the torch when it arrived, as was aboriginal elder, Agnes Shea, who said she hoped its visit "symbolises good will for all mankind".
The torch arrived at a military air base in Canberra
The former Australian Olympic swimmer, Ian Thorpe, said demonstrators should not be singling out the torch relay for protests.The former Australian Olympic swimmer, Ian Thorpe, said demonstrators should not be singling out the torch relay for protests.
"It should be something that's done consistently," he said."It should be something that's done consistently," he said.
Protests in Athens, London, Paris and San Francisco - where demonstrators angry at the Chinese occupation of Tibet tried to disrupt processions - have dominated media coverage of the torch relay.Protests in Athens, London, Paris and San Francisco - where demonstrators angry at the Chinese occupation of Tibet tried to disrupt processions - have dominated media coverage of the torch relay.
However, the flame has made relatively peaceful progress through other cities, including Bangkok in Thailand and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.However, the flame has made relatively peaceful progress through other cities, including Bangkok in Thailand and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.
Are you in Canberra? Are you planning to attend the Olympic torch relay tomorrow?Are you in Canberra? Are you planning to attend the Olympic torch relay tomorrow?
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