MFA OPPOSES MEETING BETWEEN UNDER SECRETARY

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 024202

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2031
TAGS: PREL PHUM CH
SUBJECT: MFA OPPOSES MEETING BETWEEN UNDER SECRETARY
DOBRIANSKY AND THE DALAI LAMA

REF: BEIJING 23939

Classified By: Classified by Deputy Chief of Mission David S. Sedney.
Reasons 1.4 (b/d).

Summary
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1. (C) China "strongly opposes" a meeting between
Under Secretary Dobriansky and the Dalai Lama, MFA
Director General (DG) for North American and Oceanian
Affairs Liu Jieyi told the DCM on November 30. China
demands that the meeting not take place because the
"Dalai Lama's regime" supports Tibetan independence.
Liu said that the United States' actions do not match
its statements opposing Tibetan independence and that
a meeting with the Dalai Lama would be a "big
mistake." The DCM reaffirmed that the United States
regards Tibet as part of China and rejected Liu's
claim that Under Secretary Dobriansky's meeting with
the Dalai Lama would constitute support for Tibetan
independence. The DCM urged the Chinese Government to
engage in discussion with the Dalai Lama to resolve
outstanding issues. End Summary.


2. (C) DG Liu Jieyi told the DCM on November 30 that
the Chinese Government understands that Under
Secretary Paula Dobriansky plans to visit the Dalai

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Lama and that, if this is correct, China "strongly
opposes" the visit. Liu said the Chinese Government
"formally demands" that the meeting not take place, on
the grounds that the Dalai Lama's "regime is a
political regime" that supports Tibetan independence.
Liu said that the Chinese Government opposes official
contact between any state and the "Dalai Lama's
regime" as well as any state's support for the
"regime." Liu said he is surprised that Under
Secretary Dobriansky plans to meet the Dalai Lama

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despite previous demarches delivered by Chinese
officials in Washington and Beijing opposing this.


3. (C) DG Liu said China acknowledges that the United
States has stated that it recognizes Tibet as part of
China and its opposition to Tibetan independence, but
asserted that the United States' actions are
inconsistent with these commitments. He urged that
the United States "honor its commitments concerning
Tibet." Liu said it would be a "big mistake" for a
high-level United States official to meet with the
Dalai Lama. He also objected to Under Secretary
Dobriansky's designation as Special Coordinator for
Tibet, saying that this designation is a "big
mistake."


4. (C) The DCM reaffirmed that the United States
Government regards Tibet as an integral part of China
and rejected Liu's claim that Under Secretary
Dobriansky's meeting with the Dalai Lama would
constitute support for Tibetan independence. The
United States honors its commitments. The experience
of the United States is that the Dalai Lama does not
advocate Tibetan independence. The Dalai Lama is an
important spiritual and religious leader who enjoys
widespread sympathy and support among Americans. The
Chinese Government should engage in serious
discussions with the Dalai Lama to resolve outstanding
issues. The DCM told Liu that he would convey Liu's
message to Washington, in accordance with Liu's
request.
Randt