TIBET: MFA SAYS TALKS WITH DALAI LAMA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001715

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2033
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL KIRF CH
SUBJECT: TIBET: MFA SAYS TALKS WITH DALAI LAMA
REPRESENTATIVES "MARK A NEW BEGINNING"

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel Piccuta. Reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).

Summary
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1. (C) The meeting between CCP Central Committee United Front
Work Department Deputy Directors (Vice Minister equivalent)
Zhu Weiqun and Sitar ("Si Ta" in Mandarin) and personal
representatives of the Dalai Lama Lodi Gyari and Kelsang
Gyaltsen "marks a new beginning," said Director General of
the MFA's North American and Oceanian Affairs Department
Zheng Zeguang in a late night Sunday, May 4 briefing to the
DCM. In their meeting in Shenzhen with Gyari and Gyaltsen
earlier on May 4, Zhu and Sitar "patiently answered questions
raised by Gyari and Gyaltsen and exchanged views on continued
contact and future talks." They agreed, said Zheng, to have
contact again at an appropriate time. According to Zheng,
Gyari and Gyaltsen stated their views on relevant issues and
said they would faithfully report what was discussed to the
Dalai Lama. End Summary.

Central Government Tibet Policy is Correct
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2. (C) MFA's North American and Oceanian Affairs Department
Director General Zheng Zeguang briefed the DCM late Sunday
night, May 4, on talks that day between CCP Central Committee
United Front Work Department Deputy Directors Zhu Weiqun and
Sitar ("Si Ta" in Mandarin) and personal representatives of
the Dalai Lama Lodi Gyari and Kelsang Gyaltsen. Reading from
a prepared statement, Zheng told the DCM that Zhu and Sitar
led off the meeting with a review of the events of March 14
in Lhasa, where serious crimes undermined the interests of
all Chinese citizens including Tibetans. Such unpopular acts
aroused the indignation and condemnation of people from all
sectors. Zhu and Sitar also pointed out that public order
has been restored, religious believers enjoy full freedom of
religious belief and that people want stability and
development. The facts have proven, Zheng said, that the
Central Government's policies regarding Tibet are correct
and, with joint efforts, people of all ethnic groups in Tibet
will have an even brighter future.


3. (C) Since 2002, despite obstacles, Chinese leadership
representatives have held six rounds of contact and talks
with private representatives of the Dalai Lama, Zheng said.
The violent crimes of March 14 "created new obstacles to
continued contact and talks," he said. But in spite of these
obstacles, the Central Government still arranged for the
contact "with the utmost patience and sincerity." Zheng said
China hopes that the Dalai Lama will "match his words with
real deeds, truly stop separatist activities, stop plotting
and instigating violence and stop disrupting the Beijing
Olympic Games so as to create conditions for the next round
of contact and talks."

"A New Beginning"
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4. (C) Zheng said the PRC Government is sincere in "marking a
new beginning" and having contact with the Dalai Lama side.
As long as the Dalai Lama side "has sincerity and
demonstrates it with action," contact and talks between the
two sides will continue.

Decision to Hold Talks "Not a Sign of Weakness"
-------------- --


5. (C) Zheng described the Tibet issue as an internal affair
of China. He said no one should take PRC Government actions
as a sign of weakness. The DCM replied that China's action
in initiating dialogue with representatives of the Dalai Lama
is viewed with respect. Zheng said he appreciates U.S.
efforts and hopes the United States will take PRC concerns
seriously and not support activities aimed at splitting
China. Zheng specifically noted that China hopes there will
be no more Congressional statements or hearings, which he
said can "create difficulties." The DCM noted the separation
of Executive and Legislative branches and reminded Zheng that
Congressional action in the United States reflects real
concerns by elected representatives of American citizens.
Those representatives are also following the talks between
Beijing and the Dalai Lama's representatives carefully, as
well as China's policies regarding Tibet, said the DCM.


6. (C) As an aside, Zheng repeated China's appreciation for
U.S. efforts, and said that while Tibet is an internal affair
of the PRC, China can distinguish between "interference in
internal affairs" and "constructive advice offered in a
friendly and sincere manner." Zheng said he was instructed

BEIJING 00001715 002 OF 002


to brief the United States Embassy first (other nations'
Embassy representatives were already gathering at the MFA) in
the hope that information will help the United States
Government to understand the relevant policies of the PRC.
RANDT