Japan won't let Chinese security guards accompany Olympic torch relay in Nagano
TOKYO —
Japan will not accept security guards dispatched from China when the city of Nagano in central Japan hosts the Olympic torch relay April 26, National Public Safety Commission Chairman Shinya Izumi said Friday. So far, special elite guards from China’s Public Security Ministry, dressed in blue and white, have been running with the torchbearers in all countries.
‘‘The Japanese police will firmly maintain security,’’ Izumi, a cabinet minister who is responsible for supervising police forces nationwide, told a press conference. ‘‘I myself do not accept the idea that they will run in Japan as they ran in other countries. ‘We do not know what position the people who escorted the relay are in. If they are for the consideration of security, it is our role.’‘
Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cui Tiankai met the head of the Nagano prefectural police, Takashi Ishii, on Friday to ask for cooperation for ensuring the security of the relay in Nagano.
‘‘I felt the passion for accepting the flame. I believe it will be a success,’’ the envoy told reporters after the meeting at the prefectural police headquarters in Nagano.
Japanese authorities have expressed concern about security for the Olympic torch relay, following disruptions to the relay in Paris, London and San Francisco this week.
Robert Ménard, 54, secretary-general of Reporters Without Borders, told Kyodo News, “We are planning to take our protest activities to Nagano. I’m satisfied with the scope of protests so far. I didn’t expect tens of thousands people to join the campaign.”
Hiroto Yoshimura, director-General of the National Police Agency, on Thursday said the NPA would take the necessary steps to ensure the torch relay was not disrupted. “We are working on security measures in conjunction with the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee and Nagano City.”
The NPA will mobilize about 500 police officers and 1,000 private security guards along the torch relay course. Yoshimura said the NPA is also considering having riot police officers accompany torchbearers.
In Nagano, several inquires have been made at City Hall requesting information on the relay route, said a city official.
Wire reports
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33 Comments
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blackhumour
As much as I want to sympathise for the riots in Tibet, but look really.. this is about OLYMPIC.. for those athletics that have trained their lifes for, not to mention with limited time frame of their prime. How many 4 years can one wait to be truimph? To be held in China has been fixed in history ago and to riot is only 1 month ago. Something to think about? To live or to die is bewteen Tibetians and Chinese. Its their ancestors and their descendents, their history and future, their soil and air that they are fighting for.. not London's nor SF's nor Paris's. If you want to be outstanding and protest or even support, please go to the ground zero... dont be in the way of the Torch relay The limelight is for the Torch and spirit of sport, not for those who wants to protest in a safe ground.
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Kwaabish
blackhumour,
The protests and demonstrations voiced against the CCP is now not limited to just the Tibet movement, rather you can now see people voicing their opinions about how China dealt with Burma/Myanmar, Sudan and general huma rights...
But I do agree that the Olympics are for the athletes.
So let them compete. No Boycott of the games for the athletes. However, I have no problems with people being heard around the torch (so long as there's no physical attack to the torch-bearer), or if others including the world leaders decide not to attend the ceremonies or the games itself. I think that would be a nice message sent.
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rjd_jr
What I find interesting is how many of the Chinese in my area (American citizens and recent immigrants) are totally sympathetic to the Chinese cause and government. They are counterprotesting the anti Olympic torch protesters. Many of them claim this is racially motivated, Tibet is a part of China, etc. etc. etc. Very interesting.
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jerseyboy
rjd_jr...interseting or sad? I saw part of an interview with Jackie Chan on CNN this morning, and his defense of China was pathetic. Just a bunch of platitudes like "Human rights is a global problem. Why just single out China?" I understand these folks natural pride in their homeland. Most people who immigrate to the U.S. still maintain a measure of pride in the country their family came from. And, the Olympics were supposed to be China's big "Coming Out Party". And, now their parade, or relay, is getting rained on. But, even the head of the IOC said yesterday that China had failed miserably in their commitment to improve human rights. To which China promptly responded by telling him to mind his own business. Maybe it is easy for these folks to want to be proud of China, now that they no longer have to live there. Personally, I'd love to see some Japanese people peacefully protest in Nagano. It would be refreshing to know that some folks here actually care about the plight of people in Tibet or Darfur.
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some14some
Is it Japanese Authorities or Kyodo (though source not mentioned) who is concerned over torch relay? If one reads the article carefully, J-police is going to take adequate measures and provide tight security in Nagano. Despite media torture, torch relays will be completed successfully and so will be Olympics in Beijing.
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semperfi
Chine CAN NOT have it both ways. If China wants to be included as an equal partner in International Events- China also need to to abide by International Human Rights protcol.
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semperfi
Surreptitiously sending para-military thugs to 'guard' the Olympic flame demonstrates China's arrogant disregard for the sovereignty of other countries.
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some14some
Copying Australia, so simple. Yes, if there is no need, dont allow.
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redacted
Well done. If China is truly opposed to having the Olympics "politicized" surely this move is a step in the right direction.
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sarcasm123
"As much as I want to sympathise for the riots in Tibet, but look really.. this is about OLYMPIC"
Yes, and in the original OLYMPICS, states engaged in war were not allowed to participate.
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pathat
Japan won't let Chinese security guards accompany Olympic torch relay in Nagano
As well they should not.
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niku
Yeah good! China can stay out of my country too. We are quite capable of 'GUARDING' an Olympic torch. The only problems that will occur, will be occurring in China, for the reason that everyone already knows. Free Tibet
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Alfie_in_Tokyo
Interesting that a lot of people find the politicizing of the torch relay sadenning. The torch relay itself was an event created for the 1936 Berlin Games as a way of upping the drama and expanding on the notion of the link the Nazis were making between aryan power, beauty and strength and that in mythology of the Greeks who started the games. So, the torch relay was an invention of the Nazis, masters of political propaganda.
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cxu
Alot of people don’t people China is sincere ( maybe they have a history there) about this relay being about promoting the Olympic spirit, hence there is even more support for protesting at the Olympic relay than otherwise. On top of that how the Chinese have reacted and behaved has made it even worse. I think you will see a shift in behaviour when the competitions start ( as you can support the olymics but be against the Chinese way), but anything celebratory for the above mentioned reasons just is seen as fake.
I think not allowing the Chinese torch guards to run with the torch may be a good thing for Chinas as so far they have suceeding in their behaviour of shining a bad light on Chinese attitudes with many people calling these torch guards thugs.
By making the torch parade more about the Olympics and less about China, may defuse the level of protests ( however it wont diffuse the sentiments towards China – only China can do that by changing its behaviour).
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cxu
Typo:
“Alot of people don’t think China is sincere (maybe they have a history there) about China using this relay for promoting the Olympic spirit....”
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Hikozaemon
It will be interesting to see what happens in japan - if any black busses try getting involved (and they tend to be the most enthusiastic critics of the CCP), it will make Japan look worse than China.
Peace
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kenchan
AlfieinTokyo
actually the current "relay around the world" shambles was only started in 2004 by the greeks...this is purely a commercial event.
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proxy
The last time I checked the freedom for the public to protest is allowed in England, France, USA and Japan. Police in no way shape or form should interfere with somebody expressing themselves in a free country. Japan should allow protesters to run right beside the torch carrying their signs. Letting the Chinese secret police take action against people expressing themselves has created quite a little storm in the UK. Japan does not need to import toys with lead or secret Chinese police. As for the athletes that have trained all their lives, so what most of them are doped up anyway.
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cxu
more here:
"The invasion of the robotic thugs" http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php?/site/article/4963
or google search "Top Chinese Cops Protect Olympic Flame"
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hoserfella
Do the Chinese really fear a bunch of 70-80 year old senior citizens so? I don't think there's a Naganite (sp?) alive who's young enough to even keep up with the torch-bearers...
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VoXman
I can't understand how all these countries allowed the Chinese security guards to operate in their country. What were they going to do arrest a citizen? All they could possibly do is act as a human shield. I think its right that Japan, said No, we got this. We are fully capable of controlling protesters in our own country. And I dare say I have witnessed it. The J-Police can take down a riot faster than the Chinese did. Besides if they let the China Police in for any reason, even for diplomatic feel good reasons. The Ultra right Black Van people would use it as an excuse to jump in with their Katana's (baseball bats)....
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Cos
@Black Humour
*As much as I want to sympathise for the riots in Tibet,
I don't (or maybe I do). I mean I was no idea what happened there. This is not the point.
*but look really.. this is about OLYMPIC..
This is no longer because Hu Jintao has made the Tibet whatever-happen an anti-olympic thing when he accused Tibetans to do so and created the relation. Then, I have seen videos of the blue red guards harassing French athletes, not even demonstrators, in Paris, and really, I find that totally abnormal and incompatible with olympic games.
Look at this : Olympic champion David Douillet was one of the most pro-olympic flame bearer you could find. Why do those blue chinese governemental yakuza push him and don't let him hold the flame ?
http://video.eurosport.fr/jeuxolympiques/pekin/2008/video_vid70024.shtml
And then, the Chinese governement tells to his brain-washed people that the foreign demonstrators are criminals.
There should a boyicott unless Hu Jintao apologize for the way he is dealing with the games and insulting people from all over the world.
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Kwaabish
"Japan will not accept security guards dispatched from China when the city of Nagano in central Japan hosts the Olympic torch relay April 26..."
Good! Now wouldn't it be really funny if one of the torch bearers decides to do the run in total Tibetian/Burma/Darfur outfit for all to see...
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japanyesterday
i think i would rather get slapped, pushed or shot by a local cop rather than one from another country. on the other hand, this is not that serious. A lot of protesters just follow the hype and dont even believe or deeply care about the cause. How come no one cared about china's violations until the olympics? if anyone should protest, it should be the athletes. everyday hypocritical citizens should just sit back and if they really want to make a difference then stop using products from china. lets see how many will be protesting after the olympics..
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realist
Three cheers for Japan and Australia! Both countries have said they will not allow the thugs from the Chinese Communist Party to jackboot alongside the Olympic Torch in their countries. I cant understand why Britain, France and America allowed those blue-suited thugs into their countries in the first place. I am so happy to see Japan especially taking this tough stance. The whole Olympic Torch relay is nothing but a CCP propaganda exercise. I love th ordinary Chinese people, but I detest their undemocratic and evil government and its activities since it seized power in 1949. Tibet should be set free, and the thugs who ordered the massacre of innocent civilian pro-democracy protestors in Tiennamen Square should be brought to justice in an International Criminal Court.
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illsayit
I really wonder whether you will see Japanese protestors that obviously protesting? No need for the Chinese escort. Of course there is always the flamboyant gaijin around who undoubtedly would have the hide......
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Jyan_Bon
We are 100% behind your decision Japan + Australia. We don't need those Chinese escort. The Torch will be much safer without them.
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Maze
The job of maintaining law and order in Japan is the mission of the Japanese Police and not imported thugs from China.
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notimpressed
because that would be in a different discussion I believe.
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Everton2
A agree with the decision by the Nagano authorities to band those Chinese guards. Security should be exclusively the domain of the local authorities. The Chinese need to understand that the rule of law has at its heart the right of peaceful protest. This is something the Chinese don't understand and would not allow in their own country. I am amazed that they were even allowed to host the Olympic Games given their record on human rights.
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usaexpat
Why would anyone accept foreign security for the torch relay? Maybe the Japanese actually have some sense in saying no to China. I can't believe that there will be as many protests here as in the US or Europe, the Japanese aren't particularily politically active.
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zzonkerr
Very glad that Japan is having nothing to do with the Chinese security teams. All this mess about a new China is a sham, anyway.
You wanna see the friendly, happy, sweet, gentle face of the new China?
Go here --> http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/04/14/amnesty.executions.ap/index.html
That picture has haunted me for the past couple of days.
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DeepAir65
as I said on the other post I wish Japan (and other countries) would just front up and say bye, bye rather than all this weak rhetoric.
Or better still China just cancel the relay...
I really wish politics would stay out of sports.
But with the pollution problem maybe they should cancel the games
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