OCTOBER 16 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DALAI LAMA VISIT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 006690 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV CH BM IR JA GM SU SUBJECT: OCTOBER 16 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DALAI LAMA VISIT AND FALLOUT, SUDAN, GAMBARI, OTHERS ¶1. Key points at the October 16 MFA Press Briefing: -- The U.S. presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor to the Dalai Lama will "seriously hurt" U.S.-China relations. -- Chinese participation in this week's scheduled P5-Plus-1 Political Directors' meeting was cancelled for "technical reasons," and China's position on the Iran nuclear issue remains unchanged. -- China urges both sides in the Sudan to settle their differences through dialogue. -- China welcomes a visit by UN Special Envoy to Burma Ibrahim Gambari during his current trip to Asia but specific arrangements are "still under discussion." -- An individual associated with a Japanese company in Shenyang was arrested for arranging organ transplants for Japanese in violation of Chinese regulations. Dalai Lama Visit Will "Seriously Hurt" Relations -------------- --- ¶2. At the October 16 regular MFA press briefing, MFA Spokesman Liu Jianchao said the Dalai Lama's meetings with senior U.S. officials and his receiving the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor would "seriously hurt" U.S.-China relations. He said that China considered the Dalai Lama's meetings in Washington "a serious violation of the fundamental rules of international relations" and stressed China's "resolute opposition" to the Dalai Lama's receiving the award. Liu stressed that China urges the United States to heed China's "solemn representations" on the matter, cancel "relevant arrangements," and "stop interfering in China's internal matters." Liu also said that China is resolute in its protection of "state sovereignty and territorial integrity." Iran Meeting Cancelled for "Technical Reasons" -------------- - ¶3. Asked if the cancellation of PRC participation in this week's scheduled meeting on the Iran nuclear issue (i.e., the P5-Plus-1 Political Directors' meeting) was connected to the Gold Medal of Honor, Liu reiterated China's opposition to the Dalai Lama's visit, but said that China dropped out of the meeting for "technical reasons." He stressed that the Chinese position on the Iranian nuclear issue remains unchanged. Liu added that China had informed the other members and would consult with them regarding rescheduling the meeting. ¶4. When asked if the cancellation of National People's Congress Chairman Wu Bangguo's scheduled visit to the United States next month was because of the Dalai Lama visit, Liu said only that China was continuing "close contact" with the United States and would "continue communication." A follow-on question asked if the date for the Strategic Economic Dialogue could be affected and Liu replied that he had no specific information on any affect the situation might have on the SED schedule. ¶5. Asked about a U.S. official's comment that President Bush had informed President Hu of the Dalai Lama's visit to the United States during their bilateral meeting on the margins of the APEC summit last month, Liu said China had known about the visit in advance and had expressed formal opposition to the United States on multiple occasions. Sudan -------------- ¶6. On the Sudan People's Liberation Movement's (SPLM's) recall of senior officials from the National Unity Government, Liu said China is following the situation and believes that the Sudan National Congress and the SPLM will work to maintain peace and settle their differences through dialogue "from an overall situation of national solidarity and national reconciliation." He urged both sides to implement the North-South peace agreement. BEIJING 00006690 002 OF 002 Gambari Visit to China -------------- ¶7. When asked if UN Special Envoy to Burma Ibrahim Gambari would visit China during his current trip to Asia, Liu said that China welcomes his visit, but that specific arrangements are "still under discussion." Arrest of Organ-Seller Connected to Japanese Firm -------------- -------------- ¶8. Liu confirmed that an individual associated with the Japanese-funded firm IPC Info Ltd Corp. in Shenyang was arrested for using a website called "The China International Orga Transplant Support Center" to arrange organ trnsplants in China for Japanese, in violation of the company's "jurisdiction and registration," as well as Ministry of Health regulations. Liu said that China is taking measures against other individuals and that the investigation is ongoing. Houses Torn Down for 17th Party Congress? -------------- ¶9. Asked about reports that the Chinese government demolished "many houses" ahead of the opening of the 17th Party Congress, Liu responded that China "cannot accept this accusation." He added, however, that the 17th Congress is a very important event in the political life of China and as such requires a "good environment," and that the government made "relevant arrangements" in accord with the law. Nobel Peace Prize -------------- ¶10. When asked about China's reaction to the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to former Vice President Gore and the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC),Liu said that the PRC appreciates the positive contribution that Gore and the IPCC have made in promoting cooperation on an issue of international concern and offered China's congratulations. Randt