Silicon Valley: China has asked San Francisco, the only stop for Olympic torch relay in North America, to shrink the route from eight miles to six miles following planned protest by rights activists.

Political and human rights activists are demanding to know the route for the torch as it passes through San Francisco on April 9, because they want to protest against China's crackdown in Tibet and its support for the repressive and brutal Sudanese government.

In an effort to prevent the Olympic torch relay, which will be telecast all over the world, from becoming an embarrassing spectacle, the Chinese government has asked the city to shrink the relay route from eight miles to six miles.

"There is no shortage of outraged groups planning to raise a ruckus at the April 9 event because of China's terrible human rights record, its incessant bullying of its weaker neighbours and the country's steadfast support of the brutal Sudanese regime responsible for the genocide in Darfur," the Contra Costa newspaper said in an editorial today.

Meanwhile, San Francisco Supervisor Tom Ammiano introduced a resolution Tuesday calling on the city Mayor Gavin Newsom and the Police Department to immediately release details of the route.

Ammianos request follows unsuccessful attempts by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Tibet independence proponents to secure route locations.

Source : PTI