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