General Chat

Karen,there are lots of topics on this site!
Where have you been?
And why post:-)
But thanks you have bumped it up for me:-)

what does this have to do with gr, i didnt realise you could have political debates thought it was for tracing ancestors

Argentina braced for torch relay

Campaigners are using the relay to highlight human rights issues in China
The Olympic torch has been hidden in a secret location ahead of its planned appearance in Argentina, as authorities hope protests will not mar the parade.

Several thousand police and marshals will line the 13km (8-mile) route the torch will follow through Buenos Aires.

Anti-China activists are gathering on the streets, promising a "surprise". It follows protests during the flame's visit to the UK, US and France.

Meanwhile Japan has said it will ban the torch's Chinese security detail.


The security team has accompanied the torch on the relay so far, and has attracted some criticism for barging protesters aside.


Map of planned world torch relay route
Australia, and now Japan, have said they will provide their own security when the torch arrives on their soil.

Friday's tour through Buenos Aires is the only stop the torch is making in South America.

The authorities there have taken a number of precautions to try to lessen the chances of serious disruption, giving the torch a low-key reception when it arrived by plane on Thursday, and whisking it to a secret location.

Overshadowed

But some protesters were determined to voice their opinions on the staging of the Olympic Games in Beijing in August.

Activist Jorge Carcavallo unfurled a giant banner along the torch route reading "Free Tibet".

Members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement, which is banned in China, lit their own "human rights torch" and marched along the route the flame was to take.




Chinese reaction to protests
'Houdini torch' relay disappoints
In pictures: San Francisco relay
Media coverage: China vs West

The relay has become a focus for people angry about China's human rights record and its crackdown on recent demonstrations in Tibet.

It has also sparked counter-protests by Chinese expatriates keen to show support for their country and the Olympic Games.

The politics has overshadowed the sporting celebration that the Beijing organisers and the International Olympic Committee intended the torch relay to be.

The head of the IOC, Jacques Rogge, has spoken of a "crisis", and the organisation has been forced to consider the future of the torch relay.

With a number of national leaders considering staying away from the Beijing Olympics, and the European Parliament proposing a boycott, Mr Rogge insisted on Friday that "public opinion around the world does not want any boycotts".

"The Olympic Games is about the athletes themselves and the athletes are innocent," he said.

Speaking in Beijing, he also praised "excellent" preparations for the Olympics and said he was "optimistic the Games will be a great success".

Carter demurs

He said the IOC had no right to tell China how to deal with sovereign issues like Tibet and human rights.

On Thursday Beijing had rebuked him for urging China to respect its "moral engagement" to improve human rights.

China also expressed its "strong indignation" after the US Congress passed a resolution calling on Beijing to stop cracking down on Tibetan dissent and to talk to the Dalai Lama.


IOC Chairman Jacques Rogge has spoken of "crisis"

The BBC's Quentin Somerville in Beijing says China had been hoping for an impressive roll call of world leaders at the opening ceremony on 8 August for "the greatest show on earth".

But UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have said they will not go, French President Nicolas Sarkozy is undecided and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says he may not make it.

US President George W Bush is under pressure from White House hopefuls John McCain, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama not to attend.

However, former US President Jimmy Carter, who was in office when the US boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics, said to do the same now would be "a serious mistake".

While there were undoubtedly human rights abuses in China, he said, the USSR had in 1980 just invaded Afghanistan.

China insists it is unconcerned about reports of potential boycotts.

"The Beijing Olympics opening ceremony is not a leaders' summit," said Zhan Yongxin of the Chinese foreign ministry, quoted by Reuters.

After Argentina, the next stop for the Olympic flame is Tanzania, where Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai has withdrawn from the relay, citing concerns over human rights in China.

think I heard to day on world news today that "china would PUNISH SEVERELY" anyone trying to interfere with the torch in Tibet.

Those words say it all.

Politics and sports may be polls apart but Im glad to see the world united in its disgust at the mistreatment of human beings.

isn't it called "Journey of Harmony"?? I don't think there's been much harmony anywhere along the way

China is very cruel to it's own people leave alone Tibetans and to try and boycott Chinese goods seems to be a no hoper - all electrical goods seem to be manufactured there - must be sweatshops all over the country!! I would imagine that big firms like B & Q and Tescos actually have factories there

Anti-China protests have taken place in San Francisco as security is stepped up in preparation for massive demonstrations expected to hit the Olympic torch relay later today.

Richard Gere at the vigilThousands of people took part in a candlelight vigil to protest against human rights abuses by China.

They heard Archbishop Desmond Tutu call for world leaders to boycott the Beijing Games in August.

Hollywood star Richard Gere told the crowd: "The harmonious society (Chinese president) Hu Jintao talks about is a fraud. There can be no harmony without freedom of religion and culture."

On Monday, three activists climbed the city's famed Golden Gate Bridge to unfurl huge pro-Tibet banners.

Hi Chica,Yes,I signed it:-)

I so wish I had gone to London to protest.

Lets all try to boycott Chinese goods. I know it will be difficult but its worth a go.

Have any of you signed the Free Tibet petition?

I´ve been sending it to everyone I know. Everytime it hits a million signatures it goes to the Chinese Embassy.

China should NEVER EVER have been even considered for the Olympics. Thousands are now homeless because of having their houses torn down for the new facilities along with everything else. I could go on and on and feel ashamed that Britain should support such a country.

I would never holiday in China and never knowingly buy anything made there. I shudder at the horrors taking place there. Olympics in China? what a joke!

Chica

I agree with you, Roxanne and others - and it was good to see so many turn out to protest! When I saw the news I was really angry at the police response to the protesters and several of them kicking a camerman when he was on the floor - there was absolutely no need made me feel ashamed !

Kaz

There was a lot of people protesting:-) which I have to say made me feel better:-)

I wish I could have been there!

Rox, I wish I'd gone up to town today - I feel a bit less ashamed of being British after watching the news

Why the powers that be have ignored Chinas treatment of Tibet etc must be 30-40 years now and Beijing Square - has that been forgotten?

However if I were an athlete competing I should be worried about my health - the pollution hanging over the stadium is horrendous. - must be everywhere else too.

I agree with what most of you have said.

David,I think your spot on:-))

Ann,you are so right about China having a hold on us as far as shopping is concerned,Ive tried to find goods that arent made In China,its nearly Impossible:-(

nudging because it's important....

I don't agree with the games being held in China ...... I thought it was a ridiculous decision.

However, I feel torn.....much as I sympathise with the Tibetan people........and HATE some of the things that go on in China........I DO have sympathy for the sportspeople that dedicate themselves to compete. xx

unfortunately we seem far too dependent on China for the majority of our household goods - try and find something NOT made in China these days - very difficult indeed

Now usually I would be the first to say that politics has no place next to sport.

However...this goes far beyond politics or sport. This is about Human Rights. Something which the Chinese government seem to be covering up. Its all very well smiling and waving and pretending all is well, but that is not what the people are saying.

The real trouble will begin as the torch gets closer to Tibet.

LLC unfortunately, our vote will have no influence on what happens in China or Tibet, never has never will.

the best way to make a stand is with your next vote