Torch arrives in Indonesia

by Rob Peters | April 21, 2008 at 10:16 pm
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The Olympic torch relay continues to make headlines, as security remains a concern at every stop.

The Olympic torch has arrived in Indonesia on the latest leg of its worldwide relay, where it is to be paraded around a stadium in Jakarta.

For security reasons, the original 20km (15-mile) route has been cut to a few laps around the capital's main stadium.

It will be watched by 5,000 people, who had to apply for special identity cards, and 2,500 security officers.

Police broke up a small protest by pro-Tibetan demonstrators near the stadium, and detained several people.

A banner reading "No human rights, no Olympics" was unfurled, before police moved in.

The tight security in Jakarta follows pro-Tibet demonstrations as the torch passed through Europe and the US.

Protests in Athens, London, Paris and San Francisco - where demonstrators angry at Chinese occupation of Tibet tried to disrupt the relay - have created headlines around the world.

However, the torch has made relatively peaceful progress through other cities, including Bangkok in Thailand and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

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Zlender

Isn't it weird that an event that is meant to bring people together and stop wars is triggering all this protests and need for more security. Something can't be right here.

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