27 May 2008
Tibet leg of torch relay cut short
(AP) The controversial Tibetan leg of the Olympic torch relay has been cut to just one day because of the earthquake in Sichuan province, according to a Beijing Olympics official. The torch's stop in Tibet - originally set for three days - has been criticised by Tibet activist groups who see it as an attempt by Beijing to demonstrate its control over Tibet. The cut to one day came after the relay was stopped for three days as part of a national period of mourning to honour the victims of the 12 May 2008 earthquake that left nearly 63,000 people dead and almost 24,000 others missing. "All I can be sure of is that the Lhasa relay has been shortened to one day", said Li Lizhi of the Beijing Olympic torch relay centre. "It's probably either on June 18 or June 19, as is tentatively set now. But it is still open to future adjustment", she added. Beijing has said life is returning to normal in Tibet and monasteries are reopening in Lhasa, but foreigners are still banned and until recently Chinese were advised to stay away.