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Olympic torch in
Australia amid secrecy
Officials whisked the Olympic
torch to a secret location Wednesday as the torch arrived in Australia
amid a strong security presence, officials said.
Police detained a pair of activists trying to hang a banner from the
Sydney Harbour Bridge before the torch arrived in the country. Officials
later secreted the torch to an undisclosed location as police arrested
four other protesters trying to unfurl another banner, CNN reported
Wednesday.
Meanwhile, pro-Tibetan activists gathered outside the Chinese Embassy in
Australia, spelling "Free Tibet" with several hundred candles.
Qu Yingpu, the spokesman for the Olympic torch relay, reminded
Australian officials that security personnel had the responsibility to
"cover and evacuate the torch bearers in the case of an
emergency," the Australian Broadcasting Corp. said
"To respond to any immediate threat against the flame or
torchbearer these runners should (accompanied by) trained security
personnel with the ability to cover and evacuate the torch bearers in
the case of an emergency," he said.
Australian officials said, however, said they wouldn't intervene if
protesters attacked the Olympic torch, saying they didn't endorse the
statement.
2008-04-26 |
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