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
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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
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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

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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

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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
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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

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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