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The cloud hanging over Beijing Olympics

Mohammad Amjad Hossain
***Air pollution, abuse of human rights, lack of freedom of press, and political persecution figure in the criticism that has been aired for some time. The recent crackdown on Tibetans has caused unease in some capitals, which resulted in a call for boycotting the Games.***
THE People's Republic of China is poised to host the Olympics Games in
the world's most polluted city, Beijing, in spite of political rumbling and criticism by nongovernmental organisations, including Amnesty International. Air pollution, abuse of human rights, lack of freedom of press, and political persecution figure in the criticism that has been aired for some time. The recent crackdown on Tibetans has caused unease in some capitals, which resulted in a call for boycotting the Games. At least two European leaders had decided not to attend the inauguration of the Games, but French President Nicolas Sarkozy reversed his decision. US President George W. Bush, however, did not succumb to political pressure from opposition political parties and human rights activists to boycott Olympics games, although he gave audience to Dalai Lama in the Oval office following the crackdown on Tibetans.
It is true that the Bush admin istration could not afford to ignore the Beijing Olympics as the US is indebted to Beijing on many counts. With the world's largest reserves of dollars, China has been a major investor in US treasury bonds and debt securities. It is the second largest holder of US government debt next to Japan. The US is now paying $60’ million a day as interest on the debt.
The history of the Olympic Games traces back to 1896, when Athens first hosted the summer Games. They are held every four years. The theme of this year's Games is "a journey of harmony," bringing the message of peace to people of different nationalities, cultures and creeds.
The Olympics village, will house 16,000 athletes and representatives from 200 countries, was opened in Beijing by Mayor Chen Zhili on July 27. 20,000 accredited media personnel, both print and broadcast, will witness the games. High-tech facilities will be in place in the press center to allow journalists
to report on the Olympics Games. Beijing authorities unblocked the Amnesty International web site after discussions with officials of the International Olympics Committee, while the spiritual movement Falun Gong site remains blocked. Some web sites relating to Tibet were opened, but others in the restive region in the west of China were not.
The Washington Times reported that about 400,000 public security volunteers will be in place, apart from 180,000 police and counter-terrorism troops. 300,000 surveillance cameras are being installed. Beijing authorities are reported to be apprehending sabotage of the Olympics Games from the Falun Gong religious group and the East Turkistan Islamic Movement.
One group of analysts agrees with Beijing Olympics authorities that security measures are in line with the threat posed while another group thinks security preparations are disproportionate to the alleged threat, which has not been established. This is
reflected in a 71-page report, compiled by Human Rights watch, on news media censorship. The allegations are: obstruction, harassment, threats to deny accreditation, and jailing of journalists. Reporters without borders -- an international journalists' rights group -- reported that the occasional good ;news, such as the unblocking of access to certain foreign web sites and reopening of Tibet, have been eclipsed by a series of outrageous arrests and increased surveillance of human rights activists.
This is one side of the coin. The other side is that China promised to meet the World Health Organisation's air quality standard when it won the bid to hold the Olympics. It is certainly trying to meet the requirements as can be seen from the shutting down or relocation of 200 notoriously polluting plants and factories. It is understood that the authorities have temporarily closed 1,000 coal-mines and 144 gas stations. From July 20, half of Beijing's automobiles were banned from plying in the city for the duration of Olympics games, and all construction has been stopped. These measures did not solve the problem, although the Olympics Organising committee admitted that pollution levels have dropped 13.8 percent since 2001.
A recent study by London Times reveal that Beijing's pollution is upto five times worse than levels deemed safe by the World Health Organisation. Beijing's own environmental protection bureau, however, considers the current air quality as fair.
Many competing countries are staying clear of Beijing as far as possible. For example, the US track and field team is training in the eastern port of Dalian, and coaches are advising athletes to wear masks when they are in Beijing. The entire British delegation is holed up in Macau, while the Canadian delegation will remain in Singapore until a few days before the events. The Australian team will remain outside China until competitions begin.
China has been facing shortage of pure drinking water for quite sometime. A Canadian public interest research group, Probe International, gave a graphic picture of the water crisis in Beijing. Beijing's growing population and industrial expansion in recent years have increased water demand, but below average rainfall since 1980 coupled with nine consecutive dry years resulted in less surface run-off to rivers -- most of them dried up — and reservoirs, and less water available for ground
water recharge.
It is true that restrictions and industrial shutdown may have cut down air pollution, but it has not as yet had an impact on Beijing's air. The president of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, is reported to have remarked that:. "Games have always had to contend with weather and other external forces. If the atmospheric conditions are too cold for cross country, or if it's too hot for a marathon, we change the dates. It is true that the pollution in Beijing is today a question mark. But we adapt.”
In spite of all difficulties Beijing is prepared to welcome the world on August 8 for the Olympics Games, which will continue until August 27. The inaugural ceremony of the Olympics Games — on the eighth day of the eighth month of 2008 - -will coincide with mass marriages as Chinese believe the number eight brings good luck. Beijing Olympics Games will go down as one of the well-organised games in recent memory, with coven and overt surveillance which would mar the fun of the games.
Mohammad Amjad Hossain, former Bangladesh diplomat writes from Virginia.