STAFFDEL CUTS SHORT XINJIANG VISIT AFTER KADEER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 011075 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR DRL, EAP/CM NSC FOR WILDER E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/02/2031 TAGS: PHUM PREL CH SUBJECT: STAFFDEL CUTS SHORT XINJIANG VISIT AFTER KADEER FAMILY MEMBERS DETAINED REF: A. BEIJING 10749 ¶B. BEIJING 10893 Classified By: Classified by Deputy Chief of Mission David S. Sedney. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) Summary: House International Relations Committee Staffdel Halpin cut short its visit to Xinjiang and returned to Beijing June 2 after Chinese officials confirmed they have detained three of Rebiya Kadeer's adult children on suspicion of tax evasion. Xinjiang officials also accused Kadeer's two sons of forcibly resisting detention. Polmincouns expressed deep USG concern about the detentions to MFA International Organizations Deputy Director General Shen Yongxiong on June 2 and pressed for the immediate release of the Kadeer family members. Shen confirmed only that the three had been detained by police. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Three adult children (estimated ages in 30s or early 40s) of Uighur businesswoman Rebiya Kadeer were formally detained on June 1 on suspicion of tax evasion. According to a June 2 Xinjiang press report, Kadeer's sons Alim and Ablikim and daughter Rushangul were criminally detained for "violently refusing to abide by the law." The article cited Rebiya Kadeer's involvement with splittist groups overseas, suspicion of tax evasion by Rebiya's company Akeda and attempts by the family members to transfer funds overseas. It accused Kadeer, who was recently elected President of the Uighur American Association, of becoming the "head" of overseas anti-China splittist forces. ¶3. (C) Polmincouns contacted MFA IO DDG Shen Yongxiong on June 2 to express the USG's deep concern and urge the release of the Kadeer family members. Shen said that he could confirm that the three family members were "picked up by police," but that he had no further details. Shen added that it was his understanding that the Staffdel had attempted to contact the family members while in Xinjiang. Polmincouns clarified that the Staffdel had not initially sought to contact the family. Only after reports of detentions emerged did the Staffdel express readiness to meet Kadeer family members to confirm their status. Shen said Embassy Poloff initiated contact with the Kadeer family by phone. Polmincouns noted that this was only after the reported detentions and after Chinese officials denied the detentions and encouraged anyone concerned about the family to call the family directly. Shen indicated that his department would work with MFA North American Affairs to follow up on the issue. ¶4. (C) The status of the Kadeer family was a hotly discussed issue throughout Staffdel visit. As reported reftels, the three Kadeer family members were taken in for questioning on May 30 at the time of the Staffdel's arrival in Xinjiang. Responding to Staffdel and Embassy protests, Xinjiang and NPC officials denied that the family members had been detained. On May 31, Xinjiang Vice Governor Nuerlan Abudumanjin urged "anyone concerned about the Kadeers" to telephone them to confirm that they were at liberty. ¶5. (C) As reported Ref A, Poloff attempted to telephone Kadeer family members by phone to verify their status. Kadeer's son Alim, stating that he was returning those calls, telephoned Poloff on May 31 to report that he and his siblings were held overnight and released at 5:30 that morning. Alim said the detention was "of course related to the Staffdel's visit" and that he wished to provide details about his family's mistreatment in retaliation for his mother's activities in the United States. Alim told Poloff that police had returned them to their homes but were still monitoring them. ¶6. (C) As reported Ref B, Embassy received subsequent reports that the three were again detained. At midnight June 1, Xinjiang and National People's Congress officials told the Staffdel that the Kadeer children had been formally detained. At the same time, Xinjiang television news broadcast reports of the detentions, with content similar to that outlined para 2. Following the midnight meeting, the Staffdel BEIJING 00011075 002 OF 002 canceled the remainder of its visit to Xinjiang and returned to Beijing June 2. ¶7. (U) Staffdel did not have the opportunity to clear this message. RANDT