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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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