abr.09.2008

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Thousands have massed in San Francisco to protest against China's policies as the Olympic torch sets off on the only North American leg of its journey.

A sizeable number of pro-Beijing demonstrators are also on the streets, prompting fears of violence.

Shortly before the relay began, police announced the route would be shortened. A massive security operation is in place, with barricades on many streets.

There were disruptive protests as the torch passed through London and Paris.

Meanwhile, President George W Bush has urged China to "begin a dialogue" with Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

The US House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed a motion condemning China's "extreme" response to protests in Tibet.

In San Francisco, police leave has been cancelled. Officers are out in force along the planned seafront route of the torch, and the airspace above has been declared a no-fly zone.

Just before the torch was lit, police said the relay route would be cut roughly by half but have not yet confirmed the new route.

"We are trying to accomplish two goals here. One is to protect the right to free speech and the other is to ensure public safety, and here in San Francisco we are good at both of those things," said Nathan Ballard, a spokesman for San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, said earlier.

Pro- and anti-Beijing demonstrators are mingling on the streets, prompting some concerns of violence. Television pictures showed China supporters shoving a Tibet activist.

At least one protester was detained before the relay started.

Hundreds of anti-Beijing protesters rallied in the city on Tuesday, after activists hung banners from the city's famed Golden Gate Bridge on Monday.

Tibet is not the only issue prompting the protests - China's policies towards Sudan, Burma and members of the banned Falun Gong spiritual movement are also being opposed.

Officials in Beijing have condemned the disruption that has accompanied the torch so far - but promised that the procession would continue.

However, correspondents say more trouble could force officials from the International Olympic Committee - set to meet in Beijing on Thursday - to consider calling off the rest of the torch's 136,788 km (85,000-mile) journey.

Supporters of Beijing are also out on the streets President Bush urged China to open talks with the Dalai Lama, who he called a "peaceful man... who is not for independence, but for the cultural identity of the Tibetans being maintained".

Meanwhile, the president's spokeswoman struck a more hesitant note than she has in the past when asked whether the president would attend the opening ceremonies of the Games.

Dana Perino said it was "extremely premature" to confirm what the president's schedule would be in August.

A spokeswoman for UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he would not be attending the opening ceremonies - but had never intended to. He will be at the closing ceremony.

In Washington, meanwhile, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a resolution criticising China's "disproportionate and extreme" response to protests in Tibet.

By 413 votes to one, the House called on China to release Tibetans imprisoned after peacefully demonstrating, and allow international monitors and journalists unfettered access to Tibetan areas of China.

But in a statement before the vote, a spokeswoman for China's foreign ministry accused the resolution's supporters of choosing "to remain silent on the violence involved in beating, smashing up properties, looting and arson in Lhasa - and the Dalai clique who premeditated and organised the criminal act of violence".

The Olympic flame was lit in Greece on 24 March and is being relayed through 20 countries before being carried into the opening ceremony in Beijing on 8 August.

In Paris, the torch had to be extinguished three times, while in London there were 37 arrests.