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| China stands firm on Tibet relay | China stands firm on Tibet relay |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| China has reaffirmed its commitment to take the Olympic torch through Tibet despite strong international pressure. | China has reaffirmed its commitment to take the Olympic torch through Tibet despite strong international pressure. |
| Tibet's Chinese-backed governor said he would take personal responsibility for the torch's safety and "severely punish" all who tried to obstruct it. | Tibet's Chinese-backed governor said he would take personal responsibility for the torch's safety and "severely punish" all who tried to obstruct it. |
| Qiangba Puncog's remarks came as hundreds of pro-Tibet protesters marched through San Francisco ahead of the torch relay there. | Qiangba Puncog's remarks came as hundreds of pro-Tibet protesters marched through San Francisco ahead of the torch relay there. |
| Security is tight after chaotic scenes at previous relays in London and Paris. | Security is tight after chaotic scenes at previous relays in London and Paris. |
| Earlier Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd became the latest Western leader to criticise China's human rights record in Tibet, and called for dialogue between Beijing and the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. | Earlier Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd became the latest Western leader to criticise China's human rights record in Tibet, and called for dialogue between Beijing and the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. |
| In a speech to Peking University students on his first visit to China as prime minister, Mr Rudd said it was necessary to recognise there were "significant human rights problems" in the region. | In a speech to Peking University students on his first visit to China as prime minister, Mr Rudd said it was necessary to recognise there were "significant human rights problems" in the region. |
| Map of world torch relay route | Map of world torch relay route |
| Meanwhile about 15 Tibetan Buddhist monks staged a brief protest in support of the Dalai Lama during an escorted media visit to the Tibetan plateau. | Meanwhile about 15 Tibetan Buddhist monks staged a brief protest in support of the Dalai Lama during an escorted media visit to the Tibetan plateau. |
| A similar demonstration was staged by monks in Lhasa two weeks ago. | A similar demonstration was staged by monks in Lhasa two weeks ago. |
| Trouble expected | Trouble expected |
| If ... anyone should attempt to disrupt or undermine the torch relay, they will be dealt with severely according to law Qiangba Puncog Beijing maintains Olympic fever | If ... anyone should attempt to disrupt or undermine the torch relay, they will be dealt with severely according to law Qiangba Puncog Beijing maintains Olympic fever |
| The Olympic torch is expected to reach the Tibetan capital on 20 June, as part of a three month tour of mainland China. | The Olympic torch is expected to reach the Tibetan capital on 20 June, as part of a three month tour of mainland China. |
| At a news conference in Beijing, Mr Qiangba said he thought the torch relay would be safe and successful. | At a news conference in Beijing, Mr Qiangba said he thought the torch relay would be safe and successful. |
| But he admitted that he did expect trouble from separatists. | But he admitted that he did expect trouble from separatists. |
| "I don't doubt they will create trouble during the torch relay in Tibet," he said. | "I don't doubt they will create trouble during the torch relay in Tibet," he said. |
| "If ... anyone should attempt to disrupt or undermine the torch relay, they will be dealt with severely according to law." | "If ... anyone should attempt to disrupt or undermine the torch relay, they will be dealt with severely according to law." |
| He said he felt ashamed of those who had caused anti-Chinese unrest in Tibetan areas. | He said he felt ashamed of those who had caused anti-Chinese unrest in Tibetan areas. |
| "Tibetan people are modest, good-hearted and grateful," he said. | "Tibetan people are modest, good-hearted and grateful," he said. |
| "These people used the name of Tibet and did something like this - as a Tibetan myself, I feel ashamed for them." | "These people used the name of Tibet and did something like this - as a Tibetan myself, I feel ashamed for them." |
| But speaking at a candle-lit vigil on the eve of the San Francisco relay, Hollywood actor Richard Gere said that by parading the torch in Tibet China was trying to give a false picture of peace and harmony there. | But speaking at a candle-lit vigil on the eve of the San Francisco relay, Hollywood actor Richard Gere said that by parading the torch in Tibet China was trying to give a false picture of peace and harmony there. |
| "They talk a lot about harmonious society - this is a fake version of harmonious society," he said. | "They talk a lot about harmonious society - this is a fake version of harmonious society," he said. |
| "The game plan of bringing this torch to Tibet, as if it was a harmonious society, is so patently false and insulting to the Tibetans." | "The game plan of bringing this torch to Tibet, as if it was a harmonious society, is so patently false and insulting to the Tibetans." |
| Several protests have been planned for the San Francisco relay, which will begin at 1300 (2000GMT) and follow a six-mile (10km) route though the city. | Several protests have been planned for the San Francisco relay, which will begin at 1300 (2000GMT) and follow a six-mile (10km) route though the city. |
| Police say they reserve the right to change the route if necessary. | Police say they reserve the right to change the route if necessary. |
| At Tuesday's vigil, South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu urged world leaders not to go to the Games. | At Tuesday's vigil, South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu urged world leaders not to go to the Games. |
| Meanwhile Chinese community representatives called for a peaceful relay and voiced pride over China's hosting of the Olympics. | Meanwhile Chinese community representatives called for a peaceful relay and voiced pride over China's hosting of the Olympics. |
| OLYMPIC TORCH ROUTE Torch lit in Olympia on 24 March and taken on five-day relay around Greece to AthensAfter handover ceremony, it is taken to Beijing on 31 March to begin a journey of 136,800 km (85,000 miles) around the worldTorch arrives in Macau on 3 May. After three-month relay all around China, it arrives in Beijing for opening ceremony on 8 August See detailed route on Beijing 2008 official site | OLYMPIC TORCH ROUTE Torch lit in Olympia on 24 March and taken on five-day relay around Greece to AthensAfter handover ceremony, it is taken to Beijing on 31 March to begin a journey of 136,800 km (85,000 miles) around the worldTorch arrives in Macau on 3 May. After three-month relay all around China, it arrives in Beijing for opening ceremony on 8 August See detailed route on Beijing 2008 official site |
| Click here to return | Click here to return |
| Will you be watching the torch as it travels through San Francisco? Are you in China? What do you think of the protests and the torch relay? You can send your comments using the form below: | Will you be watching the torch as it travels through San Francisco? Are you in China? What do you think of the protests and the torch relay? You can send your comments using the form below: |
| You can send pictures and video to: | You can send pictures and video to: |
| yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Click here to see terms and conditions | yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Click here to see terms and conditions |
| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |