CANBERRA—Organisers of the Australian leg of the Olympic torch relay are bracing themselves for possible violent protests by pro-Tibet activists.
Scenes of British police in running battles with activists during the London leg of the relay have prompted fears of similar action in Canberra when the Olympic flame passes through the capital on April 24.
British police battled to keep about 1,000 pro-Tibet demonstrators away from the Beijing Olympics flame as it passed through London yesterday, arresting 35 protesters who tried to disrupt the high-security event.
The Canberra relay task force chairman, Ted Quinlan, today said he feared the protests seen in London could spark a "rolling and growing movement" where activists seek to outdo each other in an effort to steal the limelight.
"My concern is that by the time it gets here, there have been a whole series of protests and that's really all everybody is expecting for the day," Mr Quinlan said.
"Of course, we're observing what's happening world-wide day by day and making appropriate plans."
Mr Quinlan said he was certain there would be some kind of protest action from pro-Tibet activists when the Olympic torch visits Canberra, but hoped the level of security seen in London would not be needed in the Australian capital.
"But we have to be ever mindful that even the community that is protesting will not have control over every individual that wants to attach him- or herself to them.
"So there may be someone ... that is impassioned, or just wants the limelight, but either way, we have to be ready for the lowest common denominator."
Australian Olympic Committee President John Coates, in Beijing for a three-day meeting of National Olympic Committee heads, said security for the torch was the responsibility of the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
"We are expecting protests and (this has been considered) in all planning for security," Mr Coates said.
"We hope that the protests are peaceful, but we have every confidence in the AFP to ensure the safe journey of the torch."
ACT Tibetan Community President Tsering Deki said her group was planning to protest during the Canberra leg of the relay, but did not support any form of violent action like that seen in London.
"We are planning peaceful protests," she said.
"We will be protesting and we plan to be loud, but peaceful."
The scenes in London have also prompted debate over whether Prime Minister Kevin Rudd should attend the games.
Mr Rudd has not yet confirmed if he will attend, but has ruled out boycotting the event over the Chinese crackdown in Tibet.
But Greens leader Bob Brown said Mr Rudd should stay away from the Olympics if there were no breakthrough on the Tibet issue.
"I am not in favour of an athletic boycott, but I am in favour of a political boycott if Beijing continues to behave badly," Senator Brown said.
"The overnight protests in London show how potent the Olympics will be in releasing decades of international frustration with China's military occupation of Tibet."
The Olympic flame arrived at Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport late yesterday ahead of a high-security tour through the French capital where campaigners were also planning protests over China's human rights record.
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