Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07CHENGDU77
2007-03-22 01:36:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Chengdu
Cable title:  

URGING TAR FAO DIRECTOR GENERAL TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON

Tags:  PHUM EAID SOCI SCUL CH 
pdf how-to read a cable
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ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 220136Z MAR 07
FM AMCONSUL CHENGDU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2418
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEHCN/AMCONSUL CHENGDU 2929
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 CHENGDU 000077 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP/CM, DRL AND G/STC
BANGKOK FOR USAID/MSTIEVATER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 3/22/2027
TAGS: PHUM EAID SOCI SCUL CH
SUBJECT: URGING TAR FAO DIRECTOR GENERAL TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON
SEPTEMBER SHOOTING DEATH OF TIBETAN NUN

REF: 06 BEIJING 21638

CHENGDU 00000077 001.2 OF 003


CLASSIFIED BY: James Boughner, Consul General, United States
Consulate, Chengdu.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)



C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 CHENGDU 000077

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP/CM, DRL AND G/STC
BANGKOK FOR USAID/MSTIEVATER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 3/22/2027
TAGS: PHUM EAID SOCI SCUL CH
SUBJECT: URGING TAR FAO DIRECTOR GENERAL TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON
SEPTEMBER SHOOTING DEATH OF TIBETAN NUN

REF: 06 BEIJING 21638

CHENGDU 00000077 001.2 OF 003


CLASSIFIED BY: James Boughner, Consul General, United States
Consulate, Chengdu.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)




1. (C) Summary: The Consul General and Beijing Polmincouns
urged Director General of the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR)
Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) Ju Jianhua to provide information
on the Chinese investigation of the September 30, 2006 shooting
(reftel) of border crossers by Chinese border guards at Nangpa
La that resulted in the death of at least one young Tibetan nun.
Ju said the matter was an issue of illegal border crossers. He
asserted the Dalai Lama is "no longer" a religious figure, but
that there is an "open door" for negotiations with his
representatives if he admits Tibet is a part of China. Ju said
that pursuant to new regulations in the run-up to the Olympics,
foreign journalists are free to travel and conduct interviews in
the TAR without permission of the FAO. Dramatic increases of
tourism in the TAR have led to pressure on food, lodging and
transportation resources, and still necessitate the entry permit
system for foreign travelers. Ju stuck to his script of strong
anti-Dalai Lama rhetoric and cold response to our human rights
concerns, but stressed he would try to foster good relations
with the United States Government, facilitate travel into the
TAR, and consider creative ways to increase cultural and other
exchanges. End Summary.


2. (C) During a March 12-17 reporting trip to the Tibetan
Autonomous Region (TAR),CG, Beijing Polmincouns and Congenoff
met with TAR Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) Director Ju Jianhua.
Ju, a Han Chinese who was born and raised in the TAR, was
recently promoted from his position as Deputy Director of the
FAO. (Note: Ju commented that Sonam, who he replaced as
Director, was still senior to him in age and rank, and that he
considered her an "equal." Sonam was appointed as a member of
the TAR People's Political Consultative Conference. End Note.)


Human Rights Cases
--------------

3. (C) The CG and Beijing Polmincouns urged that China provide
information on the Chinese investigation of the September 30
shooting (reftel) of border crossers by Chinese border guards at
Nangpa La that resulted in the death of at least one young
Tibetan nun. Ju stated that the Tibetans were illegal border
crossers. He said the central government published an official
statement on the incident and that he would provide us with a
copy. Beijing Polmincouns added that numerous Embassy Beijing
and other diplomatic missions in Beijing have asked for the
results of the investigation, but that no information had been
provided.


4. (C) The CG also asked about the reported prohibition on
attendance of government, students and workers at the Gadan
Ngacho festival in December 2006 to celebrate the birth of Tsong
Ka Pa, the founder of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism. Ju
claimed the government didn't stop "ordinary people" from
attending, but that Party members were told not to attend
according to the rule that government officials may not practice
religion. He asserted there were "religious religions" for the
"lack of success" of the festival, but didn't provide a further
explanation.

Anti-Dalai Lama Rhetoric
--------------

5. (C) Turning to the recent spate of anti-Dalai Lama rhetoric
from TAR authorities, the CG advocated for continued
negotiations between representatives of the Dalai Lama and the
Chinese Government. Beijing Polmincouns added that the Dalai
Lama is a religious figure respected in China and around the
world and that government criticism of him damages China's
international image. Ju asserted the Dalai Lama was "no longer"
a religious figure. On negotiations, he said the door is open
if the Dalai Lama admits Tibet is a part of China. Ju opined
that as a monk, the Dalai Lama should focus on meditation, but
instead he engages in international separatist activity. Ju
went on to refer to the Dalai Lama as a "politician in Buddhist
robes" who uses religion to interfere in Tibet and disturb peace
and stability. He called on "everyone to rethink the Dalai
Lama's 'real' nature."


6. (C) Ju affirmed his own membership in the Communist Party,
but admitted he does "research" on Buddhism because it is very
important for Tibetan people. If one wants to research Tibet,
one cannot focus solely on the Dalai Lama, Ju opined. He
claimed that many Western missionaries have in the past come to
Tibet to try to convert Tibetan people, but were unsuccessful

CHENGDU 00000077 002.2 OF 003


because of the importance of Buddhism in people's lives. Ju
said that the Dalai Lama should develop Buddhism rather than
working to destroy China. If he hopes return to China promote
Buddhism, that is fine, but he cannot resume the "old system."
Finally, Ju added that the international community does not
understand Tibet's past or present.

Foreign Journalists
--------------

7. (SBU) Ju commented on the issue of press freedom in China,
referring to the new regulations that allow journalists to
travel and interview freely anywhere in China in the run-up to
the Olympics. He said the FAO recently held a meeting for all
TAR bureau heads to inform them it was their decision whether to
accept interviews and that there was no longer need for the FAO
to approve or arrange meetings with reporters. Ju said many
bureaus are still hesitant and scared to accept interviews under
this new set of rules. Ju stressed the rule definitely extended
to the TAR, citing the visit of a journalist in late 2006 who
came to interview different bureaus about economic development
after the opening of the Qinghai - TAR railroad. He said he
didn't hear about the interviews until after the journalist
departed.

Tourism in Tibet
--------------

8. (SBU) When asked about the prospect for removal of the
permit system for foreign tourists in the TAR, Ju said the
system was still in place and launched into an explanation of
the dramatic rise in tourism the region has experienced since
the opening of the railroad in July 2006. Between July and
December 2006, 250,000 people traveled in and out of the TAR by
train. In a recent statement before the National People's
Congress, TAR Chairman Zhang Qingli said the region was
expecting 3 million tourists in 2007. Ju said he told Zhang
this was not feasible because of a shortage of hotel rooms and
restaurants. Ju referred to the "three big problems" of food,
lodging, and transportation, saying the region could not support
such great numbers of tourists until all three areas were
improved or increased.


9. (SBU) Ju also discussed pressure on the region's cultural
sites, especially the limits on ticket sales for the Potala
Palace. He noted that the government had received numerous
complaints from inland Chinese tourists that they were unable to
access many sites due to tourist density. Ju added that a new
"cultural site" is being developed in the Shul Village at base
of the Potala to deal with the overflow of tourists who cannot
obtain tickets to see the Potala.


10. (SBU) Ju said that foreign and domestic investors,
including U.S. companies, have already begun to consider
investing in five-star hotels in Lhasa. There are different
views of how to best support the development of the region.
According to Ju, some Americans think investors from mainland
China should not invest in Tibet and others have the opposite
view.


11. (SBU) The CG suggested a change in the handling of diplomat
tourists would relieve some of the pressure on the FAO. He said
there was no need for FAO "assistance" and scheduling for groups
of diplomatic passport holders who come to the region as
tourists. Ju did not offer a concrete response to this
suggestion.

NGOs
--------------

12. (SBU) Congenoff asked Ju to comment on the status of foreign
NGOs working in the region, asking specifically about NGOs in
the process of renewing agreements. Ju complained he felt he
was in a press conference and did not directly answer the
question. He stated that since 1996, NGOs from 40 countries had
carried out 600 projects in the TAR. Eighteen of those NGOs are
from the United States. Ju said there are approximately 60
long-term and 400 short-term expatriate personnel of foreign
NGOs currently living and working in the region.

Public Diplomacy
--------------

13. (U) The CG thanked the FAO for the successful cultural
visit of bluegrass banjo player Abby Washburn in late 2006. He
also mentioned the recent inclusion by the Ministry of Education
of Tibet University as an institution that can accept Fulbright
scholars. Ju noted that cultural and educational exchange were
important, adding that "Good Morning America" had been given
permission to broadcast from the Potala Palace last October.

Comment

CHENGDU 00000077 003.2 OF 003


--------------

14. (C) Ju's comments on the Dalai Lama are similar to those
expressed by TAR Chairman Shamba Phuntsog, the Ethnic and
Religious Affairs Bureau, and United Front Work Department
during our last visit to Lhasa in August 2006. They also mirror
the heavy-handed public statements by TAR Party Chairman Zhang
Qingli since he took office in May 2006. As expected, Ju stuck
to his script of strong anti-Dalai Lama rhetoric and cold
response to our human rights concerns. He stressed to the CG
privately after the meeting, however, that while it is necessary
for him to be fierce in his rhetoric at official meetings, he
will do whatever he can to foster good relations with the United
States Government, facilitate travel into the TAR, and consider
creative ways to increase cultural and other exchanges.
BOUGHNER