The Coca Cola sponsored Olympic torch run is turning into a death
march.
As soon as the torch p***** into the hands of 'maoists' , people start
dying.
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KATMANDU, Nepal - Nepalese soldiers and police guarding the slopes of
Mount Everest are authorized to shoot to stop any protests during
China's Olympic torch run to the summit, an official said Sunday.
Chinese climbers plan to take the torch to the summit of Everest =97 the
world's highest peak on the border between Nepal and Tibet =97 in the
first few days of May. During that time, other climbers will be banned
from the mountain's higher elevations.
Police and soldiers "have been given orders to stop any protest on the
mountain using whatever means necessary, including use of weapons,"
Nepal's Home Ministry spokesman Modraj Dotel said, adding that the use
of deadly force was authorized only as a last resort.
The troops will first try to persuade protesters to leave and will
arrest those who don't. If demonstrators defy all nonviolent means of
restraint, troops have the option of using their weapons, such as in
cases where a large group cannot be corralled. It was unclear if the
protesters would have to attack or become violent before force was
authorized.
Twenty-five soldiers and policemen have already established several
camps on the mountain, Dotel said, adding that more troops could be
sent if needed.
The torch relay =97 the longest in Olympic history =97 was meant to
highlight China's rising economic and political power. But activists
have seized on it as a platform to protest China's human rights
record. It has drawn particular ire from those denouncing China's rule
in Tibet following a a crackdown on demonstrations in the Himalayan
region in March.
Tibetan exiles have protested almost daily in the Nepalese capital of
Katmandu in front of the United Nations office and the Chinese Embassy
against Beijing's rule over the region.
The United Nations and international rights groups have criticized
Nepal for using what they say is excessive force to stop the
demonstrations. Police have beaten protesters with batons and dragged
them through streets while detaining them.
There are already dozens of mountaineers on Everest for the popular
spring climbing season. Climbers spend weeks acclimatizing and making
practice runs up the slopes before attempting the 29,035-foot summit.
They will be barred from going above Camp 2 at 21,300 feet until the
Chinese finish their torch run. The harsh weather on Everest allows
only about two windows =97 anywhere from a couple of days to a week =97 in
May when conditions are favorable enough for the push to the summit.
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