LONDON (AFP) – The Olympic torch arrived in London on Saturday amid controversy surrounding pro-Tibet demonstrations planned for its tour around the British capital.
The flame for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing arrived at Heathrow Airport by plane from Saint Petersburg. The lantern was greeted by a welcome party, away from the public, before being whisked off to a secret hotel.
Chinese ambassador Fu Ying and Britain’s Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell were among the dignitaries greeting the flame’s arrival.
Tibetan exiles and rights groups are planning to demonstrate against China when the torch is paraded through London on Sunday, and then in Paris on Monday and San Francisco two days later.
London’s Metropolitan Police said it expected six organisations — including the Free Tibet movement, Falungong and the Burma Campaign — would send about 500 protestors to demonstrate during the London leg.
Campaigners are hoping to breach a massive security operation, according to various British media reports. Some 2,000 police officers will be out in force to protect the torch procession.
“The relationship between China and Tibet will be very much the focus,” Jowell told BBC television at Heathrow.
“The pictures of lawful and peaceful protest by people on the route of the torch relay in London will be in marked contrast to some of the scenes that we’ve seen from China and makes a very clear statement about the importance of freedom in our country.”
The Olympic flame was relayed across Saint Petersburg on Saturday as part of its 130-day global journey towards the August 8-24 Games in Beijing.
Russian police stopped one lone protestor. Last month, media rights group Reporters Without Borders disrupted the lighting of the flame at Olympia in Greece.
In London, an array of British sports and entertainment stars were to carry the torch from Wembley Stadium, via the site of the London 2012 Olympic Games, to finish at the O2, formerly known as the Millennium Dome.
Steve Redgrave, Britain’s greatest Olympian, will start the relay of some 80 torch bearers.
“People have realised athletes are a cheap hit, a way to get publicity for whatever cause they’re trying to fight for,” Redgrave wrote in The Guardian newspaper.
“Sportspeople… should not be misused to make a point.”
Stand-up comedian Francesca Martinez withdrew Thursday in protest over the Chinese crackdown in Tibet.
Some 80,000 spectators are expected to greet the procession, which will also be met by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown at his Downing Street residence.
“Meeting the torch is not in any way condoning the completely unacceptable … denial of democracy and freedoms in China,” Jowell said.
Brown has brushed aside criticism of his plans to attend Olympic ceremonies in Beijing.
“I will attend the Olympics as many others may do,” Brown said Saturday at an intergovernmental conference outside London.
It was unclear whether Fu would participate in the relay as planned.
“Though some will use it as an opportunity to protest, the Olympics are for all of us,” she wrote in The Times newspaper on Saturday.
“The recent violent incidents in Tibet should not detract from this wonderful day.
“China is committed to solving problems in Tibet peacefully. I sincerely hope that Chinese nationals here will also enjoy the festivities and avoid getting involved in any confrontational activities.”
