By Bernama,
Melbourne : Australia’s Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is insisting that Chinese officials travel on a bus during the only Australian leg of the Olympic torch relay next week.
It has been reported that up to six Chinese security officials will accompany the torch, with two expected to run the route.
Rudd said he had been advised that all the officials would remain in the bus unless they were required to re-light the torch should it be extinguished.
“My understanding is that the Chinese torch attendants will play zero role…in the provision of any security,” he told Fairfax Radio Network.
“We are providing security here. This is our country, we provide the security; end of story.”
The torch will be run along a 20km route around central Canberra on April 24.