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Olympic Torch Arrives in Tibet

Amid heavy security, China slams Dalai Lama

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 21, 2008 6:17 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Under tight security, the Olympic torch made its way through Tibet’s capital in the most controversial leg of its worldwide journey—a jaunt that ended with Chinese criticism of the Dalai Lama, Reuters reports. “We will be able to totally smash the splittist schemes of the Dalai Lama clique,” said the Communist party’s Tibet leader in front of Potala Palace, the exiled Tibetan leader’s traditional seat.

Despite the rhetoric, red-and-white clad runners carried the torch through Lhasa without incident, the BBC notes. A few dozen reporters were allowed to witness the event under the officials’ watchful eye. For China, it was a key demonstration of unity. The torch, meanwhile, will now wind its way through northern China before arriving in Beijing in early August.

Tibetan people wave Beijing Olympics flags to welcome the Olympic flame during the Olympic torch relay in Lhasa, Saturday, June 21, 2008.
Tibetan people wave Beijing Olympics flags to welcome the Olympic flame during the Olympic torch relay in Lhasa, Saturday, June 21, 2008.   (AP Photo/Xinhua)
In this photo released by China's Xinhua news agency, a 75-year-old Tibetan mountaineering hero receives the Olympic flame from a Communist official during the Olympic torch relay in Lhasa.
In this photo released by China's Xinhua news agency, a 75-year-old Tibetan mountaineering hero receives the Olympic flame from a Communist official during the Olympic torch relay in Lhasa.   (AP Photo/Xinhua)
An Olympic torchbearer sets out on a relay through the streets of Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region on Saturday, June 21, 2008.
An Olympic torchbearer sets out on a relay through the streets of Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region on Saturday, June 21, 2008.   (AP Photo/Kyodo News)
Dancers perform a Tibetan ethnic dance to welcome the Olympic flame in front of the Potala Palace during the Olympic torch relay in Lhasa.
Dancers perform a Tibetan ethnic dance to welcome the Olympic flame in front of the Potala Palace during the Olympic torch relay in Lhasa.   (AP Photo/Xinhua)
The Olympic flame cauldron is reunited with the torch at a ceremony held in the square in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, Saturday June 21, 2008.
The Olympic flame cauldron is reunited with the torch at a ceremony held in the square in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, Saturday June 21, 2008.   (AP Photo/Ken Teh)
Chinese Armed Police officers stand on guard along the street in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on Saturday, June 21, 2008.
Chinese Armed Police officers stand on guard along the street in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on Saturday, June 21, 2008.   (AP Photo/Kyodo News)
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More on the relay
Guardian (UK)

Spectators 'hand-picked' for torch trip
AFP

 
China • 2008 Beijing Olympics • Tibet • Dalai Lama • Olympic torch • torch relay

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