MARCH 18 MFA PRESS BRIEFING:TIBET, SIX-PARTY TALKS,

UNCLAS BEIJING 001020 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM MARR KOLY ETRD CH JA KSKN MI SUBJECT: MARCH 18 MFA PRESS BRIEFING:TIBET, SIX-PARTY TALKS, OLYMPICS ¶1. Key points at the March 18, 2008 regular MFA press briefing were: -- Situation in Tibet is now stable and the violence reveals the Dalai clique's "essence." -- China supports the meetings between U.S. and DPRK negotiators and emphasizes that the nuclear issue is not a bilateral issue but a Six-Party issue. -- The spokesman had not seen reports that the IOC was considering alternative locations for endurance events during the Olympics. Tibet Violence Reveals Dalai Clique's "Essence" -------------- - ¶2. At the March 18 regular MFA press briefing, spokesperson Qin Gang told reporters that the situation in Tibet was normal and stable and relevant authorities would deal with the perpetrators in accordance with the law. Qin said that authorities had exercised maximum restraint when facing the violent protesters. Qin did not have specific information on surrounding provinces or regarding reports of a curfew imposed in some areas of Xinjiang, however, he said that in all areas of China people reject the "splittist" efforts of the Dalai Lama. Qin emphasized that China has the ability to protect social stability and territorial integrity. ¶3. Qin repeatedly referred to the violence as "beating, burning and smashing" saying that China has ample evidence to prove that the events were masterminded by the Dalai Lama. When asked whether China would release the evidence, Qin said that the investigation was still underway, but China would release evidence "in due course." China's position regarding the Dalai Lama and any countries that support him has not changed, however, said Qin. Responding to a question regarding the EU's request for more information on the events in Tibet, Qin said that it is the Dalai Lama, not China who should be investigated. Though China will not seek to have the Dalai Lama tried in any court and Qin would not say whether he would be arrested if he visited China, China views the Dalai Lama as a political figure and a "splittist," not a religious figure. Qin said that the international community supports China on the issue of Tibet, pointing to the fact that no country recognizes Tibet as an independent country as evidence. Meetings of United States and DPRK -------------- ¶4. Qin said that he did not know what DPRK chief negotiator Kim Kye-gwan did during his recent trip to Beijing. Both the United States and the DPRK have briefed China on the meetings in Geneva between the DPRK and the United States. China feels that this type of communication is helpful and hopes that both sides can meet halfway to implement the second phase of the denuclearization process. ¶5. Qin rejected reported DPRK comments that the nuclear issue is between only the United States and DPRK, saying it was an issue between all of the countries involved in the Six-Party Talks. Qin said that progress in the talks was due to China's support and willingness to host. Clean Environment for Olympics -------------- ¶6. Qin said that he had not seen comments from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) saying that alternative locations might be necessary for endurance events during the Olympics due to pollution. What he had seen were IOC reports that the air during the Olympics would be up to standard. Qin said athletes can concentrate on setting records and China will provide a clean environment for the Olympics. Hu Jintao to Visit Japan, Australian Iron Ore, Mongolian Foreign Minister and Malawi President to Visit China -------------- -------------- ¶7. Qin said that Chairman Hu Jintao's visit to Japan would be important to the future of the two countries' relations and that the date had yet to be decided. Qin had not heard reports that China was being blocked from the Australian iron ore market. Mongolian Foreign Minister Sanjaasuren Oyun will visit China from March 24-27. Malawi President Bingu Mutharika will visit China from March 24-30.