Here Comes the Torch

Canberra is anticipating with a mixture of excitement and dread the arrival of the Olympic Torch. Yes, it will be jogged thru the streets of Canberra on April 24 - the only stop in Australia.

The drama has already begun. One torch-bearer has dropped out, saying she doesn't want anybody to think she condones China's actions in Tibet. We'll see if any others throw in the torch, I mean towel.

There has been much back and forth about security. At first Australian police said the Chinese "torch attendants" would have to stay on the bus. Then they said that a couple of them could get off the bus to help light the torch, etc. Then today I heard on TV that the Chinese Ambassador said the torch attendants would take action if necessary to protect the torch - which sounds to me at least like they're crossing the blurry line from caring for the torch to providing security. We'll see how the Australians respond to THAT - they are usually inclined to keep a close hold on security arrangements...

I expect tens of thousands of Chinese and Tibetans and others will make their way to Canberra for the torch. The Tibetans (and others) to protest. The Chinese students to support the Olympic spirit. Or to be vigilantes. Or to provide unofficial security. Depending on who you listen to.

The ACT (Australian Capital Territory) government has already revised the route, sticking to broad avenues where they hope they can try to keep protesters at a distance. The Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has said that if Australians want to protest, they should do so by turning their back as the torch passes.

So - will we have another chaotic torch-grabbing scrum fiasco like in Paris and London? Will the ACT cross up everybody and do a last-minute switch to make an anticlimactic relay run from one sheep paddock to another like San Francisco (well, no paddocks in SF)? Will pro-Tibetans and pro-Chinese regime types clash? Or will it all be calm?

Stay tuned. The run starts about 8:00 AM on Thursday here, that'll be 6 PM US EDT.