2008 Woodie Awards
Olympic torch makes its way through ancient Muscat amid tight security in Oman
By: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Issue date: 4/15/08 Section: World
MUSCAT, Oman - The Olympic torch made its way through the steep streets of the Omani capital yesterday on the brief Middle Eastern leg of a 20-nation tour that has been marked by chaos and protests.
Men in traditional Arab white robes, with daggers tucked in their belts, danced to the beat of drums before the torch was lit by Muscat governor Sayyed Al Mutassim bin Hamoud Al Busaidy.
Muscat's festive mood was in sharp contrast to protests that have marred the torch relay in other countries. Officials here said any attempt to disrupt the parade would be dealt with severely.
"It's a great honor to have the torch in Oman," Habib Macki, vice chairman of the Oman Olympic Committee, said ahead of the opening ceremony.
Hundreds of people lined the streets to watch the torch descend from the heart of hilly Muscat and pass tourist attractions such as the Sultan's Palace before winding along the edge of the Persian Gulf.
Dozens of policemen were deployed along the torch route, where streets were closed off and parking was banned. An army helicopter hovered overhead.
Macki said Oman was chosen for the relay because of the "excellent relationship that goes back a long way between Oman and China and the strong economic ties that bind us."
Oman, a Muslim country at the southern end of the Arabian peninsula with a booming tourism industry, has strong economic ties with China, a major importer of its oil. Demonstrations or protests are virtually unheard of in this tightly controlled sultanate.
The Olympic flame, which began its worldwide six-continent trek from ancient Olympia in Greece on March 24, has been the focus of protests over China's human rights record with major chaos and disruptions during its stops in Paris, London and San Francisco.
The turmoil over the torch relay and the growing international criticism of China's policies on Tibet and Darfur have turned the Beijing games - which begin Aug. 8 - into one of the most contentious in recent history.
However, the relays in Argentina and Tanzania were largely peaceful and without major incidents.
The torch next heads to Islamabad, Pakistan, where officials said that they had changed the route of the relay.
Men in traditional Arab white robes, with daggers tucked in their belts, danced to the beat of drums before the torch was lit by Muscat governor Sayyed Al Mutassim bin Hamoud Al Busaidy.
Muscat's festive mood was in sharp contrast to protests that have marred the torch relay in other countries. Officials here said any attempt to disrupt the parade would be dealt with severely.
"It's a great honor to have the torch in Oman," Habib Macki, vice chairman of the Oman Olympic Committee, said ahead of the opening ceremony.
Hundreds of people lined the streets to watch the torch descend from the heart of hilly Muscat and pass tourist attractions such as the Sultan's Palace before winding along the edge of the Persian Gulf.
Dozens of policemen were deployed along the torch route, where streets were closed off and parking was banned. An army helicopter hovered overhead.
Macki said Oman was chosen for the relay because of the "excellent relationship that goes back a long way between Oman and China and the strong economic ties that bind us."
Oman, a Muslim country at the southern end of the Arabian peninsula with a booming tourism industry, has strong economic ties with China, a major importer of its oil. Demonstrations or protests are virtually unheard of in this tightly controlled sultanate.
The Olympic flame, which began its worldwide six-continent trek from ancient Olympia in Greece on March 24, has been the focus of protests over China's human rights record with major chaos and disruptions during its stops in Paris, London and San Francisco.
The turmoil over the torch relay and the growing international criticism of China's policies on Tibet and Darfur have turned the Beijing games - which begin Aug. 8 - into one of the most contentious in recent history.
However, the relays in Argentina and Tanzania were largely peaceful and without major incidents.
The torch next heads to Islamabad, Pakistan, where officials said that they had changed the route of the relay.
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