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
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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