MARCH 20 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DALAI LAMA CLIQUE,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 001047 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV SOCI PHUM PREL CH KS JA SUBJECT: MARCH 20 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DALAI LAMA CLIQUE, JOURNALIST ACCESS TO TIBET, WEN-BROWN PHONE CALL ¶1. Key points at the regular March 20 MFA press briefing: -- Wen Jiabao expressed grave concern to UK PM Gordon Brown over his plans to meet the Dalai Lama. Reports that Wen has agreed to meet the Dalai Lama are incorrect, as the Dalai Lama has not yet met the preconditions for dialogue. His actions as well as his words are important. -- Journalists are being refused permission to visit Tibet because of the "special situation" there. The restrictions do not contradict pre-Olympic pledges for openness, as journalists are required to work within the bounds of the law. The Chinese Government is in the process of organizing a trip to Tibet for journalists. Journalists are ethically bound to be fair and objective in their reporting. -- The results of the investigation into the incidents in Tibet will be released "in due time." The Dalai Lama clique is a handful of individuals headed by the Dalai Lama, seeking to split Tibet from the Motherland. -- The Chinese Government exercised "maximum restraint," and worked only within the bounds of the law in dealing with the riots. Thirteen "innocent people" were killed. -- The PRC constitution protects the rights of Chinese citizens to assemble and peacefully protest, but they must do so within the bounds of the law and in line with the greater interests of the Chinese people. Wen and Gordon Brown: Grave Dismay over Dalai Meeting -------------- -------------- ¶2. At the regularly-scheduled MFA press briefing March 20, MFA Spokesperson Qin Gang said that during their phone conversation, Premier Wen Jiabao expressed grave concern to UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown about his plans to meet the Dalai Lama, and urged him to recognize that the Dalai Lama is a political exile fighting for independence under the guise of religion. The Chinese Government would like all nations to understand his true nature and not give support to his splittist activities. Wen reiterated to Brown that the Chinese position on Tibet and the Dalai Lama has always been clear and has not changed. Preconditions for Dialogue with the Dalai Lama -------------- - ¶3. The Chinese Government is willing to meet with the Dalai Lama once he fulfills the requisite preconditions: he must give up his plans for Tibetan independence, stop all splittist activities and recognize that the Government of the PRC is the only government of all of China including Taiwan and Tibet. Responding to questions that the Dalai Lama had already fulfilled the preconditions for meeting, Qin said that the current problems in Tibet such as smashing, beating, arson and looting were in fact masterminded by the Dalai Lama clique. "There must be a thorough review of his deeds. His actions prove that he has never stopped his words and deeds to split the motherland," Qin said. When asked about reporting that Wen had agreed to meet with the Dalai Lama, Qin said that the reports are "not accurate," and reiterated that only on the basis of the Dalai Lama meeting the preconditions is "the door is open" for dialogue. Journalist Access to Tibet -------------- ¶4. Asked why journalists have been refused permission to travel to the TAR to report, Qin said Chinese law enforcement personnel are entitled to deal with the "special situation" there, and hoped that journalists could understand and would cooperate with the restriction. He noted that "there is no absolute freedom anywhere in the world." He added that the restrictions do not contradict the official push for more media openness ahead of the Olympics, stressing that the Olympic charter calls for all journalists to work in accordance with the law. Asked about reports that two German journalists were expelled from Tibet March 20, Qin said he was unaware of such reports. Asked if tourists have access to western China, including Sichuan and Gansu province, Qin said that due to safety and security, the Chinese Government "suggests" that tourists not go. Western Media Bias; Beijing to Organize Press Trip to Tibet -------------- -------------- BEIJING 00001047 002 OF 003 ¶5. Qin said that China welcomes "objective and fair" reporting from the foreign press corps. He said he "understands" western interest in covering the story, and that the Chinese Government was in the process of attempting to arrange a trip to Tibet for foreign journalists. He expressed hope that the press corps would be responsible and live up to professional journalistic standards. He stressed the need for "common sense" from reporters and emphasized the importance of the "ethics of journalism." Investigation into Dalai Lama Connection to Violence -------------- -------------- ¶6. Asked when China will release the evidence it claims it has connecting the Dalai Lama to the violence in Tibet, Qin replied that the investigation is ongoing, and China will release the evidence "in due course." He added that the role of the "Dalai Lama clique" in the violence can already be seen in reports in the western media on the violence. He also said that the series of actions against Chinese diplomatic facilities abroad further implicates the Dalai Lama. Qin said that the Ministry of Justice would carry out the investigation. When asked how, if he investigation is still on-going, he could announce that the Dalai Lama was behind the violence, Qin declined to respond, claiming he had already answered the question. ¶7. When pressed to define the term "Dalai Lama clique," Qin replied, "Facts are facts. Everything will come out clearly in the investigation." He then asked rhetorically how riots in such a wide range of locations, including Chinese diplomatic facilities abroad, could happen spontaneously without orchestration. Pressed again to define the term, Qin said it represents a handful of individuals headed by the Dalai Lama engaged in actions to split the Chinese motherland. Use of Lethal Force; No Intelligence Failure -------------- ¶8. Asked whether lethal force was used by Chinese authorities in response to protests outside of Tibet, Qin answered only for the TAR itself, stating that police forces there did possess or use weapons of lethal force to deal with the violence. He added that security forces there showed "maximum restraint." Regarding reports of rioters being killed in Aba, Sichuan Province as well as Gansu Province, Qin stated he was unaware of specific details of the incidents, but said that the authorities dealt with them in accordance with the law. When asked if the emergence of violence represents an intelligence failure for the Chinese Government, Qin said simply that the government is capable of safeguarding the security and territorial integrity of China. When asked about what methods were used to break up the riots, how many armed police had been deployed and whether the PLA was involved, Qin declined comment, stating that the "illegal" incidents were dealt with in accordance with the law. Qin reacted strongly to one reporter's use of the term "uprising" to describe the situation in Tibet, saying that it was "criminal activities" and not an uprising. 13 "innocent people" have been killed, Qin said, but he did not know how many rioters had been killed. International Dimension -------------- ¶9. Asked about the international implications, especially for governments that meet with the Dalai Lama, Qin said that he hoped other governments could recognize the true nature of the Dalai Lama clique and refuse to provide him with support. When asked if the incidents were a part of a broader push by the West to cause the Beijing Olympics to fail, which includes pressure on China over Darfur and possible pollution problems during the Olympics, Qin said that "some people" are reluctant to accept China's development and seek to create obstacles to it. These forces do not represent the whole international community and are running against the "trend of the times." Asked if China would push for extradition for the Dalai Lama from India, Qin declined comment, only noting that China's position is "clear and consistent." Peaceful Protests Are Allowed -------------- ¶10. Asked if Chinese citizens have the right to peacefully BEIJING 00001047 003 OF 003 assemble and protest, Qin directed the reporter to the Chinese constitution, which safeguards the right to peaceful protest. However, all protests must be done within the bounds of Chinese law, and in keeping with the interests of the Chinese people. He added that all ethnic groups have the right to assemble and protest and that these rights are "guaranteed," but that the people have "different channels" through which to protest. Other Issues: Kitty Hawk, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea -------------- -------------- ¶11. The Chinese Government applies the principle of sovereignty regarding applications for port calls, and will decide each one on a case-by-case basis. Qin does not think the current situation in Tibet will alter President Hu Jintao's plans to visit Tokyo in May. Asked a question about using the situation in Tibet as a basis to doubt China's desire for peaceful reunification, as well as a question about Taiwan potentially boycotting the Olympics because of Tibet, Qin Gang directed the reporter to the relevant authorities. The South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan is currently visiting China and met today with Premier Wen Jiabao and the Minister of Information and Publicity. Tomorrow he will meet with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Executive Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo. RANDT