HUMAN RIGHTS DIALOGUE: A/S KRAMER MEETING WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 BEIJING 002101 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2033 TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV CH SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS DIALOGUE: A/S KRAMER MEETING WITH FOREIGN MINISTER YANG JIECHI, MAY 26 Classified By: Aubrey Carlson, Political Minister Counselor. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) The resumption of the U.S.-China Human Rights Dialogue (HRD) is an important step that should promote bilateral relations, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi told DRL Assistant Secretary David Kramer in a 45-minute meeting following the May 26 day-long formal HRD session. A/S Kramer agreed that the discussions had been extensive, candid and constructive and emphasized U.S. hopes to see concrete results. On the Olympics, A/S Kramer said it is in our common interest to create the best possible atmosphere for the Games by having China take positive steps on human rights, including on the issues for consideration we had earlier passed to the PRC. China warmly welcomes President Bush and his family, as well as Secretary Rice, to China for the Games, FM Yang said. A/S Kramer offered condolences over the Sichuan earthquake and reiterated the U.S. Government's offer to do all it can to help. FM Yang expressed China's "sincere thanks" for the "sizeable assistance" provided by the United States, while emphasizing the need to deal with the earthquake's "secondary effects," such as flooding, disease and a shortage of housing for survivors. Regarding Burma, FM Yang pointed to the Burmese Government's recent displays of "flexibility," such as allowing more international assistance to enter the country. On Tibet, FM Yang said "the Dalai" is not just a religious figure but a political exile who aims to split China. While reiterating U.S. recognition of Chinese sovereignty over Tibet, A/S Kramer emphasized that U.S. goals are for the Tibetan areas to return to calm and for the PRC to take steps to protect Tibetans' religion, language, culture and livelihood, while ceasing actions that raise tensions. End Summary. REVIEWING THE HUMAN RIGHTS DIALOGUE -------------- ¶2. (C) The decision to resume the U.S.-China Human Rights Dialogue (HRD),announced during Secretary Rice's visit to Beijing in February, was an "important" step that should promote the overall development of the bilateral relationship, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi told DRL Assistant Secretary David Kramer following the May 26 day-long formal HRD session. Describing the discussions as "comprehensive and in-depth," FM Yang said they allowed for an exchange of views with China's "leading government departments" on the subject of human rights. Due to the leadership of MFA International Organizations Department Director General Wu Hailong and A/S Kramer, as well as the hard work of both delegations, discussions were very positive and productive. China hopes they will lead to great success, paving the way for more dialogues. After several years' hiatus, China hopes these talks represent a positive beginning that will continue in the future, FM Yang stated. ¶3. (C) A/S Kramer agreed that the discussions had been extensive, candid and constructive. He thanked the head of the Chinese delegation, DG Wu Hailong, for his professional manner and the PRC delegation as a whole for its seriousness. He noted PRC Ambassador to Washington Zhou Wenzhong played a key role in arranging the talks. During the discussions, the U.S. delegation tried to be as specific as possible, focusing on finding common ground instead of merely trying to score debating points. There were of course significant differences, as was expected after a six-year hiatus, but the talks provide a channel in which to narrow those differences. The U.S. delegation came to Beijing in the spirit of wanting to turn human rights from a source of tension into one that will strengthen the bilateral relationship. Therefore, the U.S. side provided a list of "issues for consideration," on which we hope the Chinese Government will take positive steps. The U.S. side also passed prisoner lists, which we hope will be considered, A/S Kramer stated. A/S Kramer and Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom John Hanford reviewed the main issues raised by the U.S delegation in the talks (see septels). Although the resumption of the dialogue was useful and noteworthy, the U.S. delegation hopes to see concrete results and looks forward to working on specific measures to maintain progress, A/S Kramer said. ¶4. (C) Outlining China's general position on human rights, FM Yang asserted that it is the shared goal of all peoples to promote human rights, even though this is done through "diverse means." We should deepen our mutual understanding and respect. Promoting human rights is an evolutionary process, and no country has a perfect human rights record. The Chinese people now enjoy extensive human rights, which are protected in the constitution. The Chinese Government BEIJING 00002101 002 OF 004 promotes "democracy" and the rule of law and is taking concrete steps toward these goals. China has 56 ethnic groups, living as "one big family." The Sichuan earthquake demonstrated the Chinese nation's "cohesiveness," with, for example, both religious believers and non-believers helping out on the front lines of the quake zone. Noting that he had just returned from Burma, FM Yang said he had stopped in China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on the way back to Beijing. There, he saw "monks in robes" helping those affected by the earthquake. Although the region has less than 15 million people (one-third of whom are ethnically Zhuang) and is relatively undeveloped, it nevertheless is making an "all-out effort" to provide material and human resources to the earthquake disaster areas. Chinese people enjoy religious freedom, but all Chinese must be "patriotic," whether they are religious believers or not, FM Yang said. OLYMPICS -------------- ¶5. (C) It is in the interest of both countries to create the best atmosphere possible for the Olympics, including by having China take positive steps on human rights, thereby keeping the focus on the Games themselves, A/S Kramer stated. Noting that President Bush looks forward to attending the August Olympics, A/S Kramer said the President recognizes the importance of the Games to the PRC and the Chinese people. China's impressive economic growth will, hopefully, be matched by greater openness and tolerance. We also hope that certain positive developments, such as the new media regulations for foreign journalists, will be extended beyond the Games, A/S Kramer said. ¶6. (C) While the United States has hosted the Olympics many times, this is the first time for the Chinese people to do so, FM Yang said. Some journalists previously said that it is the PRC Government that wants a successful Olympics, but in fact it is the Chinese people who most want to see the Games succeed. Both the Chinese Government and people have a responsibility to create a good atmosphere for the Olympics. Of course, the international community and foreign governments also share this responsibility, which is not a difficult one and should not have become a problem in the first place. China wants to work with the international community to stage a successful Olympic Games. ¶7. (C) Illustrating the positive views of the Chinese people toward the United States, Yang related how, when he was Second Secretary at the PRC Embassy in Washington, DC, in 1984, he traveled with the then-Chinese Ambassador to the Olympic opening ceremonies in Los Angeles. When the Chinese team entered the stadium, the American people stood and cheered, which FM Yang said left a deep impression on him. Chinese people have a "wealth of goodwill" toward the United States. Many Chinese people do not know the names of the MFA leadership, but they do know the names of many NBA athletes. The Olympics belong not just to the Chinese people but to the people of Asia and the entire world. We should work together to make the Games a success. China warmly welcomes the President and his family, as well as Secretary Rice, to China for the Games. EARTHQUAKE CONDOLENCES, LATEST SITUATION IN SICHUAN -------------- -------------- ¶8. (C) A/S Kramer began the meeting by offering condolences over the Sichuan earthquake and reiterating the U.S. Government's offer to do all it can to help. FM Yang replied by expressing his "sincere thanks" for the "sizeable assistance" provided to China by the U.S. Government, as well as American companies, organizations and individuals, both in cash and in kind. President Bush called President Hu Jintao to extend condolences to the Chinese Government and people, FM Yang said, and Secretary Rice did the same with him. ¶9. (C) Post-disaster efforts in Sichuan are in "full swing," FM Yang said, with the situation on the ground "very complicated." China needs to deal with and prevent the earthquake's "secondary effects," which include floods and epidemics, and which will require provision of appropriate shelter to survivors. Hundreds of thousands of people are living in "stadiums," FM Yang said, explaining that China hopes to give at least one tent to each family as makeshift shelter until more permanent housing can be provided. The entire world can see that the Chinese Government has been very "caring and compassionate," and the Chinese people have shown great "unity" as "one family." At the same time, the international community has been most "humanitarian" in its response. FM Yang expressed his conviction that together with strong PRC Government leadership, supported by the Chinese people and the international community, China will BEIJING 00002101 003 OF 004 overcome this disaster. ¶10. (C) The United States has been greatly impressed by the Chinese Government's response to the earthquake, as well as the actions of Chinese NGOs, civil society and many individuals, A/S Kramer said. The media has played a great role, too, in informing both Chinese and foreigners on the situation, which has helped to generate a positive view of China's actions. We hope this media openness can continue beyond the current disaster. TIBET -------------- ¶11. (C) On Tibet, FM Yang said "the Dalai" is not just a religious figure but a political exile who aims to split China. During the recent "contact" with "the Dalai's" representatives, China said it hopes such contact can continue, so long as "the Dalai" abandons separatism, ceases orchestrating violence and stops spoiling the Olympics. A/S Kramer replied by telling FM Yang he recently met with Lodi Gyari, the Dalai Lama's representative, in Washington. We have paid close attention to the Dalai Lama's recent comments in the United States and Europe. In our view, the Dalai Lama has already adopted the positions China has requested, as he has said he does not want independence, opposes violence and supports the Olympic Games. In fact, it would be a constructive step if the Dalai Lama could attend the Olympics, A/S Kramer said. Our impression is that China's talks with Lodi Gyari were useful, and we hope that the next round of talks will move the process forward and result in positive outcomes. The United States remains deeply concerned over the patriotic education campaigns underway in Tibetan areas, A/S Kramer asserted, noting that pressuring monks to denounce the Dalai Lama is counter-productive. The United States recognizes Chinese sovereignty over Tibet, A/S Kramer stated, and emphasized that our goals are for the situation in those areas to calm down and for China to take steps to protect Tibetans' religion, language, culture and livelihood, while ceasing actions that exacerbate tensions in Tibetan areas. PROMOTING THE BILATERAL REALTIONSHIP -------------- ¶12. (C) China attaches great importance to U.S.-China relations, one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world, FM Yang declared. Over the past eight years, thanks to the efforts of both sides, U.S.-China relations have moved forward on an even keel, which is in the interest of both of our peoples. Even though the United States has entered its election season, the U.S. people do not want to see this relationship affected. Our two countries should continue working together to promote counter-terrorism, nonproliferation, economics and trade, science and technology, as well as cultural, educational and military-to-military ties. For the sake of maintaining regional and global peace and stability, we should continue advancing our "constructive and cooperative" relations. To this end, the MFA and Department of State have developed a good working relationship and have frequent exchanges on all levels and in all fields, now including human rights. Our two presidents enjoy a good working relationship and friendship, FM Yang said, explaining that they will have two opportunities to meet this year, at the G-8 outreach summit in Japan and at the Olympics. We need to work together to ensure that both meetings result in positive and significant results. BURMA -------------- ¶13. (C) A/S Kramer asked FM Yang to comment on his recent trip to Burma and the prospects for change in the Burmese regime's negative attitude toward international assistance following Cyclone Nargis. The Chinese response to the earthquake is what we hoped to see from the Burmese regime. Instead, Burma's response has been extremely slow, with the regime resistant to outside assistance, especially from the United States. FM Yang replied by saying the international pledging conference hosted by the UN and ASEAN for Burma, from which he had just returned, was "positive," with officials outlining how the ASEAN-led coordination mechanism will function. ASEAN officials welcomed cooperation from the UN and other countries. "Dozens" of countries made "generous" offers. Recently, the Burmese Government has shown some flexibility and taken positive steps by, for example, accepting international supplies and allowing medical teams to enter. According to UN SYG Ban Ki-moon, Burmese leader General Than Shwe has said Burma will accept more international aid workers, which is another positive BEIJING 00002101 004 OF 004 development. Relief and reconstruction work is both an urgent task and a long-term effort, FM Yang said. China is willing to work with the United States on this task in order to assist the Burmese people. ¶14. (U) The delegation cleared this message. PICCUTA