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Argentina braced for torch relay Protests at Argentine torch rally
(about 1 hour later)
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. Protesters have gathered in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires, where the Olympic torch is being paraded.
Several thousand police and marshals will line the 13km (8-mile) route the torch will follow through Buenos Aires. Authorities are mounting a major security operation, keen to avoid the disruption that marred the flame's progress through the UK, US and France.
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. Several thousand police and marshals have lined the 13km (8-mile) route the torch will follow through Buenos Aires.
Meanwhile Japan has said it will ban the torch's Chinese security detail. But anti-China activists protesting against the Beijing Games have promised "entertaining surprises".
Buenos Aires Mayor Mauricio Macri lit the torch and held it aloft on Friday as hundreds of sporting enthusiasts applauded.
The security team has accompanied the torch on the relay so far, and has attracted some criticism for barging protesters aside. But activist Jorge Carcavallo unfurled a giant banner on the torch route reading "Free Tibet".
And 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.
Map of planned world torch relay routeMap 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. Police separated the few dozen pro-Tibet demonstrators from a similar-sized group of Chinese residents, who waved the Chinese flag and sang the national anthem as they prepared to cheer the torch.
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 disappointsIn pictures: San Francisco relayMedia coverage: China vs WestChinese reaction to protests'Houdini torch' relay disappointsIn pictures: San Francisco relayMedia 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. The torch's relay around the world 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. Scuffles broke out in London and Paris as protesters tried to obstruct the flame's progress, grab it or even put it out.
The relay has also sparked counter-protests by Chinese expatriates keen to show support for their country and the Olympic Games.
'Public oppose boycott'
The politics has overshadowed the sporting celebration that the Beijing organisers and the International Olympic Committee intended the torch relay to be.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.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". Mr Rogge insisted on Friday that "public opinion around the world does not want any boycotts" of the Games.
IOC Chairman Jacques Rogge has spoken of "crisis"
"The Olympic Games is about the athletes themselves and the athletes are innocent," he said."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".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.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.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.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" Carter demurs
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".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.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.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".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.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.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."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. Friday's tour through Buenos Aires is the only stop the torch is making in South America.
name="map"> The next stop is Tanzania.
Japan on Friday said it would not let the torch's Chinese security guards, who have attracted criticism for barging protesters aside, accompany the torch on Japanese soil.
OLYMPIC TORCH ROUTE Torch lit in Olympia on 24 March and taken on five-day relay around Greece to AthensAfter handover ceremony, 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 siteOLYMPIC TORCH ROUTE Torch lit in Olympia on 24 March and taken on five-day relay around Greece to AthensAfter handover ceremony, 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
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