ITSN News Digest
Friday 20 June
TORCH RELAY IN LHASA
Security tight for Tibet torch relay, foreign media allowed (Earth Times)
Security and surveillance were tightened on Friday before the torch relay on Saturday in Lhasa. Free Tibet Campaign quoted sources in Lhasa who say hundreds of police were on the streets, part of the route was fenced off, a permit system was used for spectators, and phone calls were blocked or monitored. Also sources say that only Tibetans working in specific jobs or living in old quarter of the city were allowed to apply for special permits for spectators and Tibetans have been banned from performing the Lingkor circumambulation.
http://tinyurl.com/52uod2
Tibet capital under tight guard for Olympic torch (Reuters)
Lhasa was under tight security on Friday. As a group of foreign journalists arrived in Lhasa to observe the relay, police stood on guard every 200 metres. Trucks full of troops and riot police could also be seen. Slogans on billboards and village walls both welcomed the Olympics and urged locals not to cause trouble for the torch relay on Saturday before strictly vetted crowds. "Protect social order and stability," read one sign. "Harmoniously greet the Olympic Games," read another. (Includes quote from Human Rights Watch.) http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/feedarticle/7598754
Uneasy calm in Lhasa ahead of torch relay (Economic Times - India)
As Lhasa prepares to welcome the Olympic flame on Saturday, locals interviewed by media said life had largely returned to normal since March. But they said a feeling of tension still permeated the city, with the existing armed police presence on the streets beefed up ahead of the torch relay, which a lot of people are apparently not allowed to go and watch. (Includes quote from TCHRD.) http://tinyurl.com/3ppfrd
Olympic Torch Flown to Tibet for One-Day Relay Through Lhasa (Bloomberg)
The Olympic torch will be flown to Tibet today for a shortened relay tomorrow through Lhasa. "Lhasa's residents of various ethnicity are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the sacred Olympic flame," the Beijing Olympics Organizing Committee said in a statement. "The torch will be showcased in Lhasa" during its Tibetan leg, BOCOG said.
http://tinyurl.com/4qqrn2
Olympic torch set to make stop in Tibetan capital (AP in IHT)
Lhasa was getting ready Friday to host the Olympic torch relay. The 6.8 mile (11 km) run will begin at Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's Summer Palace, and end at the hilltop Potala Palace, the China Daily newspaper reported. The article did not mention any security measures taken for the relay. http://tinyurl.com/3kmn8w
Journalist delegation leaves for Lhasa to report torch relay (Xinhua)
A 50-strong delegation of journalists left Beijing for Lhasa on Friday to report the Olympic torch relay. An official from the Information Office of China's State Council, said the group included staff from 29 overseas news organizations, including BBC, Reuters, AP and AFP, as well as the Xinhua News Agency, China Central Television, and China Daily. During their stay in Lhasa, the journalists will also cover the social and economic development of the Tibet Autonomous Region, plus the torch relay activity. The delegation is scheduled to return on Sunday.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-06/20/content_8406238.htm
Olympic flames to reunite in Lhasa Saturday (China Daily)
156 torchbearers will take part in the torch relay in the TAR. Some of the local torchbearers, who were due to participate in the relay in Shannan district, will now carry the flame in Lhasa. Gangbung was the first Tibetan to climb Mount Qomolangma through the north ridge (on 25th May 1960), and will be the first local resident to carry the torch in Lhasa. The last torchbearer will be famous Tibetan singer Tseten Dolma. At the end of the relay, the "Qomolangma flame" will be reunited with the main flame, after which the torch will travel to Qinghai province.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/olympics/2008-06/20/content_6779502.htm
China Focus: Tibet ready to greet Olympic torch (Xinhua)
Tibet is to greet the Olympic torch with flowers and distinctive folk dances, when it arrives in Lhasa on Saturday. The images of five Fuwas, mascots of the Beijing Olympics, are displayed in flowers in front of the Potala Palace. The city's main streets are decorated with signboards carrying slogans, such as "Light the Passion, Share the Dream," "Bless the Motherland, Joyfully Greet the Olympics," "Great Ethnic Unity" and "Welcome to Lhasa." Chinese flags are flying on houses and cars with "Go Beijing" signs pasted on their window panes can be seen almost everywhere. [Article also says the 14th March] riot... was organized, premeditated and masterminded by the Dalai Lama clique. Peace has gradually returned, with the resumption of schools, businesses and religious activities, as well as the re-opening of leading monasteries such as Jokhang, Ramoche, Sera and Drepung. (Includes quotes from local Tibetans.)
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-06/19/content_8402031.htm
Olympic torch travels to Tibet under cloud of oppression (Monsters & Critics)
Analysis of the current situation in Tibet, ahead of the torch relay in Lhasa. Includes quotes from Amnesty International, ICT and Robbie Barnett. http://tinyurl.com/4rqluw
OLYMPICS - OPENING CEREMONY
Latvian leaders to attend opening, closing ceremonies of Beijing Olympics (Xinhua)
Latvian President Valdis Zatlers and Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis will respectively attend the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic Games, according to the Latvian Olympic Committee.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-06/19/content_8400884.htm
France urged to boycott ceremony as new head of Council of Europe (RWB)
Reporters Without Borders called on France, as new president of the Council of Europe, and its European partners to say they would boycott the Olympic opening ceremony. Members of the organisation unfurled a giant banner showing the Olympic rings as handcuffs across the front of a building opposite the Brussels headquarters of the Council.
http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=27556
Bob Geldof interview on France 24 (African Press Organisation)
Geldof, in response to boycotting the Olympic opening ceremony and dialogue between Tibetan and Chinese leaders, said, "... Chinese behaviour in Tibet is ridiculous... I think politicians who do have these values of democracy and human rights have to make a gesture... Were I a world leader, I don't think I'd attend the opening.... But I would definitely negotiate with the Chinese. I would always talk with them." http://tinyurl.com/3fg9bm
OLYMPICS - MEDIA FREEDOM
Olympic networks win right to broadcast from Tiananmen Square (CBC - Canada)
TV networks planning to broadcast from the Beijing Olympics appear to have overcome a major hurdle. All networks, including CBC, which have paid a rights-holders fee will be allowed to broadcast live from Tiananmen Square during the games. Trevor Pilling, CBC's Olympic executive producer, confirmed he has already booked at least five time slots during the Olympics when CBC will broadcast live from the square. "The first one will come during the opening ceremonies, the pre-Olympic show," said Pilling. http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/story/2008/06/19/olympic-broadcasters.html
Rogge expects China to resolve Olympics TV dispute (Canadian Press)
IOC president Jacques Rogge is confident concerns over television coverage restrictions at the Beijing Olympics will be resolved within days. Rogge said the IOC received a report from Beijing organizers addressing the concerns. "Most of the issues have been solved," he said. IOC spokeswoman Emmanuelle Moreau said the IOC had received assurances from BOCOG that broadcasters would be free to film and uplink their footage from non-Olympic venues.
http://tinyurl.com/4k2bof
China's Internet censorship getting worse: activist (AFP)
Chinese censorship of the internet and restrictions on reporting have worsened despite Beijing's pledge to improve media freedom ahead of the Olympics, says Zhang Yu, a member of the Independent Chinese PEN Centre, a writers' association. China has actually tightened control of the internet as the Olympics approach, said Zhang Yu. "My observation is that during this year the Internet police became much more efficient in terms of surveillance of the internet activities to suppress freedom of expression," said Zhang. "The suppression is getting much more severe, just in the recent months" he said.
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hCJt9_DPuxiA9xPN-_N_Usrmg_DQ
Huffington Post Blocked in Mainland China (Huffington Post)
As the Chinese Government begins its pre-Olympics media crackdown, the Huffington Post appears to be the latest victim in a recent wave of internet censorship. Numerous sources in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou confirmed that as of early Friday morning in China, HuffPost remains blocked on the mainland.
http://tinyurl.com/3gro7v
OLYMPICS - OTHER
China's Olympics euphoria tempered by Tibet riots, quake losses (Xinhua)
The Tibet riots and last month's deadly earthquake have changed the Chinese people's outlook on the Olympics from one of innocent enthusiasm to a more sober and measured attitude. After the March 14 riot in Lhasa, the coverage of many foreign media organizations disappointed Chinese people. "Ideological and political differences have always been a gap between China and Western countries and we should remain cool-headed," said Liu Jiangyong, a professor with the Institute of International Studies, Tsinghua University in Beijing. "Chinese people should learn to accept different voices calmly." http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-06/19/content_8402421.htm
Limbering up for the games (The Economist)
A look at China's security fears surrounding the Olympics, including the restrictions that visitors will face when attending the Games. http://tinyurl.com/6o2e8m
Lower expectations around Beijing Olympics (AP in CNN)
Article looking at China's expectations for the Olympics and the problems it is facing, such as security, media freedom and logistical issues. http://tinyurl.com/45ntgv
"Curse of the Fuwa" fulfilled by floods (Reuters)
Floods sweeping southern China seem to have fulfilled the final stanza of an internet curse involving Beijing's Olympic mascots, but censors have been quick to remove postings that might fuel the superstition. One Fuwa is a panda, the totem of Sichuan (the location of the earthquake). The others resemble a torch, reminding netizens of the protests against the international Olympic torch rally; a Tibetan antelope tied to widespread demonstrations in Tibetan areas; and a swallow that looks like a kite, linked to a deadly train crash in Shandong province.
http://tinyurl.com/5xmlj9
For Olympics, Lenovo Steps Up to World Stage (NY Times)
A feature article on Lenovo, the only Chinese company which has a worldwide sponsorship for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. http://tinyurl.com/4bqga9
NEPAL
Hundreds of Tibetan exiles arrested in Nepal (CNN)
On Thursday Nepalese authorities detained at least 650 Tibetan exiles protesting against China's policies in the province ahead of this weekend's Olympic torch relay in Tibet. Police also arrested and charged three local Tibetan community leaders with organizing the protest, after seizing them from their homes Thursday morning. "They have been arrested for damaging the diplomatic relations between Nepal and China," said civilian security officer Jaya Mukunda Khanal.
http://tinyurl.com/4hjw6u
Nepal cracks down on Tibet exiles (BBC)
Nepalese police have detained three refugee community leaders in a significant hardening of its position against Tibetan refugees. It says it will hold them for a maximum of three months without trial. The trio were picked up early on Thursday morning and later in the day scores of Tibetan demonstrators were arrested while staging rallies. Police said they were leaders of an agitation programme which was being conducted "very aggressively".
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7464071.stm
U.S. group protests Nepal arrest of Tibetan leaders (Reuters)
Similar to BBC report. Includes ICT quote.
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSDEL281294
MISCELLANEOUS
Fear and loathing in a devout land (Sydney Morning Herald)
Mary-Anne Toy reports from Gansu and Qinghai. She talks to monks from Rongwo Monastery, who have just received three days of continuous re-education classes, though they refuse to talk about the "troubles". One monks says "What they (the Chinese Government) show to the public is what they did for the Tibetans. They don't show how they harass monks and go into the temples and confiscate our phones and computers." Toy also interviews monks who have recently left Labrang Monastery. "We will never regret what we have done, even if we die, because what we are doing is for the sake of the Tibetan people," says one monk.
http://tinyurl.com/3jty4k
The rise of another Red army (Asia Times)
A detailed look at China's People's Armed Police and the Peoples' Liberation Army.
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China%5CJF20Ad01.html
China Holds Tibetans Without Charge, Amnesty Says (Bloomberg)
The Chinese Government responded to Amnesty International's report [see yesterday's news] which says China has detained more than 1000 Tibetans without charge since March. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said that China has handled cases related to the unrest in Tibet in accordance with the law. Amnesty has "prejudices'" against China, she added, noting that she had not read the report.
http://tinyurl.com/45tcyp