Interpol: "Real" Danger Faces Olympics

Protests, Terrorist Plots Suggest Likelihood Of Violence In Beijing, Agency Chief Says

(CBS/AP)  Widespread protests along the Olympic torch relay route and reports of foiled terrorist plots in China suggest a real possibility for violence during the Beijing games, the head of Interpol said Friday.

Ronald Noble said potential attacks could involve efforts to block transportation routes, interfere with competitions, assault athletes or destroy property during the Olympics.

Chinese officials have said that terrorism is the biggest threat to the Aug. 8-24 Olympic Games and has called for closer international cooperation to prevent possible incidents.

"When thwarted attacks are coupled with the recent violent protests viewed by us all worldwide, prudence requires us to recognize the real possibility that groups and individuals could carry on their protests at the actual Games," said Noble, who spoke at an international security conference. His remarks were released in a statement by the Lyon, France-based Interpol.

China's generally secretive police agencies have sought advice on Olympic security from the United States, Germany, Israel and other foreign governments.

Interpol has promised to send a support team to the Olympics that will have rapid access to the international police organization's files on fingerprints, images and wanted persons notices. It will also provide threat assessments related to Olympic security.

"It is our shared responsibility to work together to prevent incidents of crime and violence through preparation and planning," Nobel said.

Experts say the terrorist threat to China at the Olympics is relatively low, but warn that Beijing faces a growing threat from Islamic separatists among the Uighur population in the western region of Xinjiang.

State media reported in March that a 19-year-old Uighur woman was detained after trying to set a fire in an airplane's bathroom in an attempt to hijack and crash the flight. No one was injured and the plane was diverted.

Authorities have said the attempt was part of a terror campaign to turn the predominantly Muslim Xinjiang into an independent nation called East Turkestan.

Earlier this month, Chinese police announced that they had uncovered a criminal ring that planned to kidnap athletes, foreign journalists and other visitors at the Beijing Games.

A Public Security Ministry spokesman said the "violent terrorist gang" was based in Xinjiang but provided scant evidence. He said another ring uncovered in January was manufacturing explosives and plotting to attack hotels, government offices and military targets in Shanghai, Beijing and other cities.

China has been battling a public relations nightmare as the Olympic torch makes its way around the world before returning to Beijing in May.

At nearly every stop on its trek, the relay has been dogged by protests against China's human rights record, its friendly ties with the Sudanese government and its crackdown in Tibet after anti-government protests turned violent on March 14.

In Japan on Friday, police escorted the flame to the mountain resort of Nagano - where the 1998 Olympics were held - under heavy security after it landed at a Tokyo airport.

The Falun Gong spiritual movement, banned in China as a dangerous cult, held a morning protest in a park near the Nagano train station. In the afternoon, a small group of other protesters waved "Free Tibet" banners.

China's government agreed on Friday to a meeting with an envoy of exiled Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama, a step that follows weeks of calls from world leaders for dialogue in the wake of anti-government protests in Tibet.

"In view of the requests repeatedly made by the Dalai side for resuming talks, the relevant department of the central government will have contact and consultation with Dalai's private representative in the coming days," the official Xinhua News Agency said, quoting an unidentified official.

[iamauto]

Shall we support Dalai the biggest serfowner in the world just because we don''''t like China?

[erasmus81]

erasmus81 & rheola

"Get a room already." Posted by marcpcbs at 02:12 AM : Apr 26, 2008

EXCUSE ME? rheola and I were just having a little friendly chat. There isn''t any need to get a room.

Now as for me and AJMarine, that is a different matter.:)

[gce65]

Oooooo! China you no good!
You have shamed your ancestors!
You have egg on face!
Chinese officials eat turtle slime!

The real threat in Beijing will be respiratory problems among the athletes from all the air pollution. What a cesspool!

[marcpcbs]

erasmus81 & rheola

Get a room already.

[erasmus81]

rheola

Oops, that should be "Have an enjoyable AFTERNOON":)

[erasmus81]

rheola

"But then I sometimes like people to be very baaaaaaad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Well, that''s good because I have been VERY bad lately or so cbs thinks.:) I have had my posts erased and have been given the boot a few times. (I used to be erasmus6) They have become very particular about what you say now.

We have had a number of sunny days lately but it is still getting quite cold. Higher temperatures should be coming soon, I hope.

Glad to hear you are doing well.

"Have an enjoyable evening."

You too.

[rheola-2009]

Erasmus.

I only ever see good in your posts, even if they are ocassionally otherwise, as your thoughts and mine on various subjects are very much akin.

But then I sometimes like people to be very baaaaaaad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Magnificent sunny afternoon [just after] here, am now off to wash car, and then will take dog for a walk.
Shall look in later to see if you respond.

Have an enjoyable evening.

[erasmus81]

"... have seen some of your posts..." Posted by rheola at 10:14 PM : Apr 25, 2008

Hmmm, I don''t know if that is good or bad. I hope it was only the good ones you read. Sometimes I can be very bad but then you know that, don''t you?:)

[rheola-2009]

Hullo Erasmus, hope all is well, as is here, have seen some of your posts, however keeping a low profile.

Have refrained from commenting on occassions as some are so blind they wish not to see, and others are so obviously representing particular lobbies.

Keep up the good work.

Look forward to your comments, they are always of interest.

[marywent2]

Leave it to the scum of the earth to ruin the Olympics. We listed the human filth that ruins everything for normal human beings. www.theoandavirus.com

[erasmus81]

How are you doing rheola? Haven''t seen you for awhile.

[rheola-2009]

The Olympics were crushed by "American Idol" in the TV rating in the US. All it needs is another Munich 100 fold and they will get the message. The time has pass for this political time bomb.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by Baileycc at 07:59 AM : Apr 25, 2008

That comment if correct, certainly shows the level of the average American I.Q.

Bit sad isn''t it.

[sistatee-2009]

China plans to kill the families of any of their athletes who don''t win gold.

[dan400man]

I can not believe President Bush would send our athletes into a country that is totally devoid of human rights, snip
Posted by starleo14672 at 10:17 AM : Apr 25, 2008
---------------------------

Huh? Prez Bush is "sending" these athletes? Uh, no. The POTUS does not "send" anyone to the Olympics. They are going by their own free will because, as U.S. citizens, they are free to do so. The athletes and their families are completely and fully aware of the risks involved.

[caliengineer]

China and Russia are building massive armies. Their plans? Invasion of the United States.

If you are praying and communing with the Lord, you already know this. If you do not know it, Pray or be defeated!

[mjvw2]

BUSSH DAUGHTER IN BIKINI AT FLORIDA BEACH CAUGHT ON TAPE ....
Posted by Maharishi1

and we care because?

[downtowner97]

I wouldn''t go near the place. The water isn''t safe, the food isn''t safe, and MOST of the people have tuberculosis.

[pdhlondon]

Please help me understand how alienation of China through these sometimes violent protests will lead to integration of China into more mainstream democratic philosophies and actions. Or is this just one more example of anarchism being promoted as an alternative to any form of ordered society?

Sure, China isn''t perfect, or perhaps even close to it in many areas. But, what country is? Certainly not the United States, the Middle East, African or Eurasian cultures.

This isn''t to say that we should not encourage change or even protest the status quo. I do believe however, that it is better to work from the inside than outside of an issue. As Lyndon Johnston wonce said...it is better to be on the inside of a tent looking out than on the outside, trying to look in.

[forthepeopl1]

Under Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson%u2019s .. Former leadership at
Goldman Sachs, the company has been instrumental to its penetration of Western
capital and other markets. - - Henry Paulson was vastly effective in Communist
China%u2019s .. Interests and enabling their access to Western economic assistance
and high technology

In late January 2006, Goldman Sachs purchased a stake in the Industrial and
Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), China%u2019s biggest bank, for $2.58 billion
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson''''''''s .. Personal stake .. In this transaction
was $25 million

A PERSONAL BAIL OUT for : Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and His
Criminal Friends

(Mar 27, 2008 (ruters.com) BBC) ... White House Resists Pleas for .. Mortgage Bailout
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - As clamor rises for federal help for homeowners
who face losing their homes .. U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson .. Seems
to be digging in heels against the effort.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Paulson sounded a tougher note than ever against any
possibility of bailout for individual mortgage holders, singling out the growing number
going "under water" as their loans exceed the diminishing value of their properties.

[forthepeopl1]

please this is a simple thing to fix, why are you bending over for all of the wallstreet scum.
you have the right to do what this paulson/ben did for wallstreet,saying they had to to save america. so you can say the same thing, but this time you would be saveing america, and not wallstreet.
you must come out and stop the forcloseing of all these millions of homes, now,
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS MANDATE THAT ALL MORTGAGES THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN OUT FROM 2000 TO 2007 BY ALL AMERICANS TO BE RE-FI A.S.A.P. NO EXCEPTIONS,


NO MATTER WHAT THE CREDIT IS, THEY WILL RE-FI EVERYONE AT JUST OVER PRIME, AND AT A RATE OF 40% OF WHAT IS OWED ON THE PROPERTY( PERSONAL HOMES ONLY)!!
WHY, BECAUSE MOST HOST ARE SELLING AT FORCLOSER FOR 20 TO 30 CENTS ON THE DOLLAR, SO AS TO WHAT PAULSON SAID TO BEARSTEARN 2 DOLLARS IS BETTER THAN NO DOLLARS SO TAKE THE DEAL..NOW REMEMBER ALL OF YOU, IF THIS COMPANY IN 6 MONTHS LOST 98% OF THEIR VALUE FROM 700 BILLION TO WHAT IS IT NOW. AND FOR SOMEONE TO COME IN AND BUY IT FOR NOTHING, WHAT IS THE REAL VALUE OF ALL THESE HOMES???NOBODY KNOWS, SO WHY NOT JUST START OVER??? AND STOP THE BLEEDING FOR ALL AMERICANS.

[e-mail]
DAVID A BELANGER
FOR COMMON SENSE THIS IS SO EASY TO FIX DONT MAKE IT HARDER THAN IT IS PEOPLE.

AND LOOK AT THIS MORNINGS NEWS, THE GREAT POTATOHEAD PAULSON,AND BEN ARE IN TALKS WITH ANOTHER WALLSTREET FIRM GOING DOWN. MERRILL LYNCH
WHAT MORE BAILOUTS FOR WALLSTREET COMING.