Television networks around the world (including the U.S.'s NBC) who have been licensed to cover the Beijing Olympics are complaining about foot-dragging by Chinese officials in granting necessary permits for everything from freight shipments to camera placements, the Associated Press reported Monday. The wire service quoted from minutes of a meeting between network producers and the Beijing and International Olympic Committee organizers last month in which IOC official Gilbert Felli accused Chinese officials of imposing conditions "that are just not workable." In its report, the AP commented: "The minutes hint that procedures broadcasters have used in other Olympics are conflicting with China's authoritarian government. Some plans are months behind schedule, which could force broadcasters to compromise coverage plans." AP's own television unit, APTN, is among a number of non-rights-holding news organizations that have also complained about rigid Chinese restrictions. APTN News Director Sandy MacIntyre complained, "We are two weeks away from putting equipment on a shipment and we have no clearance to operate, or to enter the country or a frequency allocation."
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