Gosper rebuked on flame security
Samantha Maiden & Paul Maley; 16/4/08
International Olympic Committee vice-president Kevan Gosper was carpeted by the federal Government yesterday for suggesting Chinese security guards could play a role in protecting the Olympic torch, contradicting Kevin Rudd on the issue. The Prime Minister remained adamant last night that the Chinese paramilitaries condemned as “thugs” by the head of London’s 2012 Olympics organisation would be confined to a bus during the relay through Canberra on April 24 and local police would handle security. Mr Gosper had suggested the Chinese Sacred Flame Protection Unit might be called in to help control crowds if Australian police could not cope.
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23547274-2702,00.html
Torch guardians from Tibet crackdown unit
Rowan Callick; 16/4/08
The blue and white tracksuited guards who will accompany the Olympic torch in Australia are cadets from China’s People’s Armed Police, the unit responsible for cracking down on separatists in Tibet. The members of the Sacred Flame Protection Unit were chosen from applicants across the nation. The 800,000 strong People’s Armed Police, formed in 1982, runs on parallel lines to the People’s Liberation Army - also responsible principally to the ruling Communist Party - with a focus on domestic order.
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23547270-25837,00.html
Tags: Australia, China, China's Armed Police, Tibet