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Report: China issues broad Olympic ban
2007-11-09
China has secretly issued an order banning those the government considers a threat from next year's Olympics -- a group that includes terrorists, Falun Gong activists, some media workers and frequent traffic-law violators, an overseas monitoring association said Friday. China's leaders view the Beijing Olympics as a way to project a positive image of the country, but the games also offer a rare opportunity for protesters to air their grievances against China's government and the ruling Communist party. The order from the Ministry of Public Security bans those who fall into broad categories such as "antagonistic elements," "members of illegal organizations," and "non-government organizations engaging in activities that can pose a real threat to the Olympic Games," according to the China Aid Association, based in Midland, Texas. Others include religious extremists, "media employees who can harm the Olympic Games" and "dangerous elements ... and other people who have serious grievances against the Party," said the group, which advocates for religious freedom in China. It was not clear whether the order reportedly issued in April applied to visitors or participants, although the association said the security ministry called for strict examinations of athletes, Olympic Committee members, media and sponsors. The association cited government sources as the basis of its report. The group's founder, Bob Fu, did not immediately respond to an e-mail from The Associated Press asking to see the original government document. Preparations for the Beijing Olympics, such as venue construction, have hummed along at a record pace, but the high-profile event has opened China to accusations of human rights violations, not doing enough to fight pollution and willingness to overlook Sudan's actions in its violence-ridden Darfur region in return for gas and oil. Critics have asserted that Beijing is so eager to host a flawless event that it will go to great lengths to keep out potential "troublemakers" during the games, which begin Aug. 8. Listed under "antagonistic elements" in the government order, for example, were anti-China forces inside and outside the country, and family members of people injured or killed in riots who still pose a threat, the report said. The category also includes "frequent traffic violators in running red lights and J-walking." Others who are banned included terrorists, criminals under surveillance and followers of the Falun Gong spiritual movement, which China considers a cult, the association said. A press official at the Ministry of Public Security said the report was "not very accurate" and that it was international practice to examine visitors during Olympic Games. The man, who refused to give his name, asked the AP to fax an interview request for further comment, to which he did not immediately respond. Li Zhanjun, director of the Beijing Olympics media center, said he was "unclear" about the issue and needed to look into the claims.
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