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 -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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" -------------- ¶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