HUMAN RIGHTS: POST AGAIN RAISES CASE OF DR. GAO

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 000935 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR DRL, EAP/CM E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2032 TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL CH SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS: POST AGAIN RAISES CASE OF DR. GAO YAOJIE WITH MFA REF: A. STATE 15818 ¶B. BEIJING 860 ¶C. BEIJING 886 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Daniel L. Shields. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) The MFA is continuing to look into the case of Dr. Gao Yaojie, MFA International Organizations Department Deputy Director General Chen Xu stated in response to Polmincouns' delivery February 8 of a demarche (ref A) urging that China let Dr. Gao travel to Washington to be honored at the Vital Voices Awards and Benefit March 14. Polmincouns expressed concern that Henan authorities continue to prohibit Dr. Gao from traveling to Beijing to complete visa processing for her trip. He questioned the information provided by the Chinese Embassy in Washington that Dr. Gao's poor health is preventing her from leaving her home, noting that this runs counter to all available information about Dr. Gao's situation. There is strong interest by the United States Government, Congress and public in having Dr. Gao travel to Washington to be honored. In addition, Polmincouns underlined that representatives of the Vital Voices organization discussed the ceremony and the proposed award recipients with the Chinese Embassy last fall, adding that the Chinese side raised no objections or concerns at that time. ¶2. (C) Chen said he is aware that DAS Christensen and DCM Sedney raised Dr. Gao's case (reftels) with Liu Jieyi, MFA Director General for North American Affairs. Polmincouns emphasized that we have raised Dr. Gao's case repeatedly and at various levels with the MFA. We believe the MFA can play a productive role in finding a positive solution. If Dr. Gao is prevented from traveling, this will harm China's image in the United States, Polmincouns stressed. Chen said the MFA will continue to look into the matter. ¶3. (C) Separately, Dr. Gao's son, Guo Tufei, contacted the Embassy on February 8 to inform us that Dr. Gao's situation has not changed. Dr. Gao is healthy and family members are allowed access to her but police continue to prevent her from leaving her home, Guo said. RANDT