U.S.-CHINA COUNTERTERRORISM DIALOGUE: MEETING WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 001166 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/27/2033 TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV KOLY CH SUBJECT: U.S.-CHINA COUNTERTERRORISM DIALOGUE: MEETING WITH AFM LIU JIEYI (PART 4OF 4) Classified By: Deputy Political Section Chief Ben Moeling. Reasons 1.4 (B/D). ¶1. (C) Summary: At a March 26 meeting with Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi at the conclusion of the U.S.-China Counterterrorism Dialogue, U.S. Ambassador at Large for Counterterrorism Dell Dailey urged the PRC to put concrete pressure on Syria to shore up its borders and prevent the flow of suicide bombers to Iraq. AFM Liu asked for further specifics on suicide bombers, additional U.S. security during the San Francisco Olympic Torch Relay and increased support at the UN for designating terrorist organizations such as the East Turkestan Liberation Organization (ETLO). End Summary. AMB Dailey: Syria is Crucial -------------- ¶2. (C) In a closing brief on March 26, Ambassador Dailey, accompanied by the Charge, told Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi that continued mutual cooperation consistent with the discussions during the March 25 Counterterrorism Dialogue in Beijing will be beneficial to all parties. Fifty percent of counterterrorism is intelligence, and U.S. technological capabilities can complement Chinese expertise in human intelligence gathering. Returning to a theme raised separately with MFA Director General Wu Hailong, Dailey explained that dossiers found in Iraq concerning 800 suicide bombers conclusively show that 90 percent of them travel to Iraq via Syria. Foreign fighters are currently the leading killer of U.S. and coalition soldiers in Iraq, as well as of Iraqi civilians. The United States urges China to pressure Syria to tighten its borders and take steps to reduce the flow of suicide bombers to Iraq. Liu agreed on the importance of denying safe haven to terrorists but stressed that any actions must be taken within the bounds of international law and principles. In a pull-aside after the meeting, Liu told Ambassador Dailey, "We understand your concerns about Syria, and we will see what we can do." Chinese Side: Requests for More Support -------------- ¶3. (C) AFM Liu responded that the atmosphere of mutual benefit, reciprocity and cooperation on equal footing at the Counterterrorism Dialogue shows that the U.S.-China relationship is "in good shape." In today's world, no country is free from terrorism, Liu said, citing the March 7 "incident" involving an alleged attempt to set fire to a flight that originated in Xinjiang. Liu urged the United States to provide specific information on foreign fighters, including names, origins and pattern of attack, in order to help China to guarantee the safety of all participants in the run-up to the Olympics. Liu stressed the need for cooperation at the UN, and asked for support in designating the East Turkestan Liberation Organization (ETLO) and "other groups of that nature" as terrorist organizations. Ambassador Dailey said that the United States will consider designating ETLO-affiliated individuals as terrorists when China provides the evidence to support such a designation. When Liu stressed the need for greater American security support at the Olympic Torch Relay in San Francisco April 9, Ambassador Dailey responded that the FBI, San Francisco Police Department and Diplomatic Security will work together with the Chinese operational team to ensure a smooth and safe Torch Relay, while simultaneously preventing injury and not infringing on the right to peaceful protest. ¶4. (U) The delegation has cleared this cable. PICCUTA