Chilean priest to carry the torch: “I am here because the rights of the Tibetan people are respected”

SANTIAGO. - Father Francisco Pereira attended the last organizational meeting held in Buenos Aires this morning, just hours before beginning his march with the Olympic torch in the Argentine capital.

How do feel during these last few hours?

“Very good, excited and very proud to represent one of the five foreign countries to carry the torch here in Argentina.  Right now we are receiving the last minute instructions.  It is very exciting; just imagine that the representative for Peru cried while speaking about this privilege that life has given him”. 

And what is your opinion about the situation in Tibet?

“I am in favor of integration, of respecting the rights of people in Tibet, of autonomy.  The Dalai Lama is a man of peace who denounces violence”. 

Are you afraid of the protests?

“No, I am not afraid of the protests because there is a lot of security, we are very calm.  The organizers have everything planned out very well”.