China throws Everest torch coverage into doubt
BEIJING (AFP) — Beijing abruptly closed the door Thursday on most foreign media coverage of the Olympic torch's Mount Everest ascent after journalists raised concerns over safety and reporting curbs in restive Tibet.
The move marks the latest controversy to hit Beijing's grand plans for the Olympic torch, which has become a target for protesters critical of China's crackdown on Tibetan unrest and its human rights record.
China plans to take a special high-altitude Olympic torch to the summit of the world's tallest peak in May, and had invited world media including AFP to cover the event as a triumphal symbol of Beijing's hosting of the Olympics.
But last-minute changes this week by Beijing Olympic officials called for a rapid and tightly controlled two-to-three day trip through riot-hit Tibet to Mount Everest base camp.
The changes raised concerns among journalists about the health impact of ascending too quickly to the camp's elevation of 5,150 metres (16,900 feet).
After foreign media requested further information on the safety concerns, Beijing Olympic Games organisers set a sudden Thursday morning payment deadline for air tickets to the Tibetan capital Lhasa.
The situation descended into farce when the Olympic official tasked with collecting payments refused to accept the fees from organisations including AFP and other international news agencies as he headed to the airport to purchase the tickets.
"I'm sorry, it is too late. I am going to the airport now," said Xu Xianhui, a Beijing Games media official.
It was not immediately clear if the refusal to accept payment was part of an official government decision to keep reporters out of Tibet.
Xu said the payment of some foreign media organisations had been accepted but declined specifics.
Olympic organisers were asked to explain the refusal but did not immediately reply.
China has clamped tight control on Tibet following anti-Chinese rioting there last month, and has expelled foreign journalists and tourists from the region.
The Olympic torch relay, now in Australia, has been dogged by protests against China's rule of Tibet and human rights record along its international route.
China has taken steps to ensure no potential disruptions to the Everest summit attempt.
The state-controlled Tibet Daily reported earlier in April "row upon row" of tents housing security personnel at base camp. China also has banned other climbing expeditions from its side of the mountain.
Nepalese security forces, meanwhile, have been authorised to use guns against protesters on its side. A US climber was expelled from the mountain on Wednesday after a pro-Tibet banner was found in his backpack, a Nepal tourism official told AFP.
The journalists invited to cover the Everest ascent were to have left Beijing for Lhasa on April 22 to witness the summit attempt in early to mid-May.
However, Beijing Olympic officials postponed the trip on the day of departure, citing weather conditions.
Officials also had said reporters would be brought quickly to Everest but only after the summit attempt had gotten well underway, contrary to original plans, and barred from reporting on anything besides the torch.
Experts say the trip from near sea level to such a high altitude should not be done in less than a week. Otherwise, travellers face an increased risk of debilitating altitude sickness and potentially fatal pulmonary edema.
