CHINA: PROGRESS ON OLYMPIC SECURITY, BUT STILL

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001879 SIPDIS NSC FOR NSC/CT RASMUSSEN AND PORTER E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2028 TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV PHUM KOLY CH SUBJECT: CHINA: PROGRESS ON OLYMPIC SECURITY, BUT STILL MORE TO BE DONE Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson. Reasons 1. 4 (b) and (d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (S) While progress has been made in some areas of Olympic security, some issues remain outstanding, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Ken Wainstein told Vice Minister for Public Security (VMPS) Liu Jing during a May 13 meeting. Outstanding issues include venue access for security personnel, the composition of Presidential support teams and greater cooperation on intelligence sharing. VMPS Liu responded that China has made great efforts to ensure the security of the Olympic Games, including the establishment of a command center staffed by police, armed police and the military. As an alternative to providing full venue access, China is considering offering "upgrade cards" to U.S. security personnel, but asks that other nations not be informed of the arrangement. The Tibetan Youth Congress is an extremist organization that presents a terrorist threat, VMPS Liu said. End Summary. Sichuan Earthquake -------------- ¶2. (U) In a May 13 meeting with Vice Minister of Public Security Liu Jing, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Ken Wainstein offered condolences on behalf of President Bush and the U.S. Government for the loss of life in the recent Sichuan earthquake and offered "any assistance" the United States can provide. VMPS Liu thanked Wainstein and noted that dealing with such a large disaster, the first of its kind since the Tangshan earthquake in 1976, will be a "crucial challenge." He added that China's disaster response capability has greatly improved since the Tangshan earthquake and expressed hope that with "forceful leadership," problems can be overcome. Past Cooperation: Progress Noted -------------- ¶3. (S) Wainstein thanked VMPS Liu for China's cooperation in the lead-up to the Olympics. This cooperation includes an "understanding" reached on the number of U.S. field liaison officers required to provide security to venues and athletes during the Olympics. Wainstein noted that the visa process is "moving forward" for the Embassy Olympics Joint Operations Center staff, air marshals, field liaison officers and others involved in the Olympics security effort, and said that progress has been made regarding the President's support and security teams. VMPS Liu responded that the number of field liaison officers was reduced by an "insignificant" amount, from 88 to 63. He said that 63 officers will be adequate to meet U.S. requirements. Regarding the President's support and security teams, VMPS Liu said that although there are some issues that remain outstanding on Olympic security, such as rules regarding firearms and the number of personnel required, China and the United States are nonetheless on the same page. ¶4. (S) Noting past progress, Wainstein highlighted venue access for law enforcement security officials and access to communications and transportation systems as issues requiring action. VMPS Liu responded that U.S. field liaison officer access to venues could be further discussed as the Olympic Games approach. He expressed concern that if U.S. personnel are granted full venue access, other nations will demand the same, which would result in too many security personnel in Olympic venues. He offered to provide "upgrade cards" to U.S. field liaison officers as a solution, and asked that the arrangement not be disclosed to other nations. Wainstein responded that requests for venue access are based on credible threat analysis and are intended to counter those threats. He further noted that athletes, leaders and spectators from many other nations do not face the same threats that those from the United States do. China's Preparations for the Olympics -------------- BEIJING 00001879 002 OF 002 ¶5. (S) China is working to the fullest extent possible to ensure that the Olympics are safe and secure, VMPS Liu said, and has established a "complete network" for Olympic security. The network includes not only police, but also armed police and military personnel. The command center will include the PLA Deputy Chief of General Staff and the Vice Chief of the People's Liberation Army. China has pre-planned for extreme situations, such as terrorist attacks, and conducted drills in accordance with these plans. VMPS Liu thanked Wainstein for the U.S. Government's agreement to provide radiological detection equipment, and said that it will be installed at all "important venues." Intel Sharing: We Can Do Better -------------- ¶6. (S) There is room for greater cooperation on information-sharing related to terrorist threats, Wainstein said. Better intelligence allows for a better response to the threats posed. Noting that the United States has provided all the information available on the East Turkestan Independence Movement/Party (ETIM/ETIP),Wainstein asked for assurance that all intelligence related to terrorist threats will be shared in a timely manner. VMPS Liu responded that preventing an ETIM/ETIP attack is his top priority, and that ETIM/ETIP has links to international terrorist organizations, including al-Qaida. Noting the March 7 "bombing attempt," VMPS Liu thanked Wainstein for previous intelligence-sharing and assured him of future cooperation. Wainstein responded that ETIM/ETIP elements' links to al-Qaida make them a broader threat to the United States and that future cooperation and intelligence-sharing can help ensure that the group will not pose a threat during the Olympics. Threat: Tibetan Youth Congress -------------- ¶7. (C) The Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) is a "fundamentalist group of separatists with the potential to become terrorists," VMPS Liu said. Many members of the group were raised in the West and do not speak Tibetan, but are nonetheless extremists whose views go beyond religion or independence, he said. TYC members "pioneered" the last round of violence in Tibet, and as such they require close attention. Wainstein encouraged the Chinese Government to provide all intelligence they may have concerning the TYC and any other potential terrorist groups so that the United States can assess the situation. Nation-on-Nation Violence: Let Us Know -------------- ¶8. (C) Intelligence regarding potential threats faced by nations with "adversarial relations" with other nations should be shared with China if possible, VMPS Liu said. Wainstein responded that China should provide any information it may possess about such threats, so that the United States can assess the intelligence. ¶9. (U) The delegation has cleared this cable. RANDT