BOCOG: BEIJING DESIGNATES OLYMPIC PROTEST ZONES

UNCLAS BEIJING 002865 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV KOLY PHUM CH SUBJECT: BOCOG: BEIJING DESIGNATES OLYMPIC PROTEST ZONES ¶1. (SBU) BOCOG officials reported at a July 23 press conference that the Beijing Public Security Bureau has designated specific areas to be used for demonstrations, complaints and protests during the Olympic Games. Protesters will need to apply and receive approval in advance to hold demonstrations at the designated locations, as required under Chinese law, BOCOG Security Director Liu Shaowu told journalists. Liu said that the protest zones would be located in World Park (Fengtai District),Zizhuyuan Park (Haidian District), and Ritan Park (Chaoyang District). The specific locations were deleted from the transcript released after the press conference. Liu said he was not prepared to offer details on specific application procedures but added that relevant government agencies would provide this information separately. Ritan Park is very close to U.S. Embassy facilities and the Ambassador's Residence. ¶2. (U) Chinese news website www.sohu.com carried a Xinhua News Service article July 23 that noted that during the 1995 UN Women's Conference in Beijing, the city government set up similar protest zones. However, those zones were in Huairou town, more than 40 miles from Beijing. RANDT