Australia gets extra security
21/04/2008 14:03  - (SA)  

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New route for Olympic torch Chinese protest against BBC Temple refuses torch ceremony Aus warns Chinese torch guards

Sydney - More than half the police force in Australia's capital Canberra will guard the Olympic torch when the troubled relay arrives in the city this week, officials said on Monday.

Security has been beefed up for Thursday's run, which is expected to attract hundreds of pro-Tibet demonstrators angry at China's treatment of the Himalayan region as well as thousands of supporters of Beijing's hosting of the Games.

Steel barriers have been set up along Canberra's streets for the 16km route that runs past Parliament House and near the Chinese embassy.

Canberra police chief Michael Phelan said more than half the Australian Capital Territory's officers, backed by Australian Federal Police and officers from interstate, would participate in the security effort.

"A fair percentage of our people (ACT police) will be used, at least half of them," Assistant Commissioner Phelan told reporters without giving a figure.

The territory's police force is believed to number between 700 and 1 000.

Relay to go smoothly in Australia

Phelan said he was confident that the relay, which has become the subject of large security operations around the world after protesters in London and Paris disrupted those legs, would go smoothly in Australia.

"I saw what happened in London and I said that won't happen here, and that is the case," he said.

The territory's chief minister, Jon Stanhope, said the extra security could double the initial budget for the Australian leg of A$900 000.

"Certainly as a result of the changed security environment, our arrangements to costs have increased significantly," he told reporters.

"I wouldn't be surprised if the costs at the end of the day come in at around double what we anticipated."

Stanhope said officials were concerned about the possibility of clashes between supporters of the Games and those demonstrating against China's human rights record.

"One would be naive to think that such a good opportunity as a torch relay celebrating the Beijing Olympics wouldn't be used... for a focus of demonstrations against China," he said.

The flame arrives in Canberra on Wednesday from Jakarta. It will be carried around the city on Thursday.

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