(C/NF) AFM HE YAFEI POSITIVE ON DR. GAO CASE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 001145 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS DEPT FOR DRL, EAP/CM E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/16/2032 TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV CH SUBJECT: (C/NF) AFM HE YAFEI POSITIVE ON DR. GAO CASE REF: BEIJING 1063 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: CDA David Sedney. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) Following a meeting requested by Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei on a separate topic (septel),the Charge in a one-on-one pull aside expressed serious concern about the case of Dr. Gao Yaojie, currently prevented by local authorities from traveling to the United States to participate in the March 14 Vital Voices awards ceremony (refs). The Charge said the Chinese were shooting themselves in the foot and that mishandling the issue would seriously damage China's image in the United States. ¶2. (C) AFM He responded with alacrity, assuring the CDA that "we understand." AFM He said "don't worry, Dr. Gao's case will be resolved successfully," but he urged that all involved not "make a public issue" of the case, stating that it is important to keep the issue quiet. Comment: While AFM He's assurances do not constitute a guarantee, his direct, confident and assured comments indicate that there is more going on behind the scenes that we know and that the possibility for her traveling is still alive. SEDNEY