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Protests continue as Olympic torch reaches Australian capital

23/04/2008

Demonstrations against China's human rights record in Tibet have continued as the Olympic torch arrived in the Australian capital, Canberra.

Police reinforcements have been called in and a metre-high fence erected along the proposed parade route ahead of fresh concerns that the flame's path will be disrupted by pro-Tibetan protests.

Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd has professed to "come down… like a tonne of bricks" on violent protestors after the torch's journey through London and Paris was hampered by demonstrations against China's crackdown in Tibet.

And while the beacon has made relatively peaceful process through the majority of cities, the Canberra procession - as with the San Francisco leg - has been markedly shortened.

"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," Mr Rudd told ABC television this week.

"Peaceful protest, yes - violent protest, under no circumstances."

After pro-Tibet demonstrators beamed laser messages onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge reading "Don't Torch Tibet" and "China, talk to the Dalai Lama", International Olympic Committee (IOC) spokesman told the Reuters news agency: "We're in a democratic country. If people want to protest, that's a matter for them, as long as they do it peacefully."

The torch was handed to Aboriginal elder Agnes Shea upon its arrival at an Australian military base on Wednesday.

"I welcome the Olympic torch to Australia in the spirit of peace on behalf of my people, whose history in this place goes back to the beginning of time," she was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying.

"May its stay here be one that symbolises good will for all mankind."
The torch's arrival in Australia follows the arrest of eight people during protests during its relay through Indonesia.