JUNE 26 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, ENGINEERS TO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 002529

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KOLY PHUM KS KN JP ZI RS TH CY SU
SUBJECT: JUNE 26 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, ENGINEERS TO
DARFUR, RE-OPENING OF TIBET, OLYMPICS, PROLIFERATION CRITICISM,
ZIMBABWE, SECRETARY RICE VISIT


1. Key points at the June 26 afternoon MFA press briefing were:

-- The DPRK has not yet released a declaration of its nuclear
programs, said the MFA spokesman.

-- The "remaining portion of Chinese military engineers" will deploy
in mid-July to assist in infrastructure projects.

-- In spite of a letter of criticism from the IOC, China is against
the politicization of the Olympic Games and against the use of the
Olympics to interfere in China's internal affairs.

-- Tibet is open to foreign tourists, and journalists interested in
traveling to Tibet can apply for permission as in the past.

-- The United States Government should be clear on China's
opposition to proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

-- China hopes that the Zimbabwean Government will put the interests
of the people and nation first, and will continue to seek dialogue
and a peaceful solution.

-- Secretary Rice will visit China from June 29-30. Thai Prime
Minister Samak Sundaravej will visit June 30-July 3 and Cyprus
Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou will be in China June 29-July 1.


North Korea Nuclear Declaration and Six-Party Talks
-------------- --------------


2. At the June 26, 2008 regular MFA press briefing, MFA Spokesman
Liu Jianchao said that the DPRK has not yet released a declaration
of its nuclear programs. Liu told reporters a press briefing would
be held later in the afternoon with "very important information"
related to the Six-Party Talks.

China to Deploy More Military Engineers to Darfur
-------------- --------------


3. At the request of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, China will
continue its participation in the hybrid action in Darfur, Liu
announced. The "remaining portion of Chinese military engineers"
will deploy in mid-July to assist in the construction of roads and
camps as well as the digging of wells. China adheres to the
"two-track" strategy, and remains willing to work with the
international community to restore peace and stability to the Darfur
region.

IOC Letter, China Against Politicizing the Olympics
-------------- --------------


4. China is against the politicization of the Olympic Games and
against the use of the Olympics to interfere in China's internal
affairs, said Liu when asked about the International Olympic
Committee's letter warning China to keep the Olympics separate from
politics. The letter referred to Tibet CCP Secretary Zhang Qingli's
comments regarding the Dalai Lama at the June 21 torch relay. Liu
said that Zhang's comments were not meant to politicize the
Olympics, and "one cannot say that China's position is to do so."

Re-opening of Tibet to Foreigners
--------------


5. Tibet is open to foreign tourists, and journalists interested in
traveling to Tibet can apply for permission as in the past, the
spokesman told reporters when asked. He added that journalists
traveling to Tibet should "cooperate" and stressed that stability in
Tibet is in the interest of all Tibet's ethnic groups.

China Against Proliferation
--------------


6. The United States Government should be clear on China's position
against proliferation, said Liu when asked about reported criticism
of China's lack of assistance on nonproliferation issues by a U.S.
State Department official. China prohibits any proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and prohibits Chinese companies
from engaging in such activities, stated Liu.

China to Respect Cultural Differences, Ensure Security
-------------- --------------


7. China will respect different cultures and religions while also
ensuring security during the Olympic Games, Liu said when asked
about reports that China will search Arab Muslims attending Olympic
events in religious headwear. China will take the necessary
measures to ensure security for the Olympics, but understands that

BEIJING 00002529 002 OF 002


some security measures may cause concerns or inconvenience.

Zimbabwe Should Put the Nation, People First
--------------


8. China hopes that the Zimbabwean Government will put the people's
and nation's interests first, and will continue to seek dialogue and
a peaceful solution, Liu said when asked what China is doing to help
solve the political turbulence in Zimbabwe. Liu described the
situation as "new developments which have caught the attention of
the international community."

Secretary Rice Visit, Others
--------------


9. Liu announced that Secretary Rice will visit China from June
29-30, but deflected specific questions concerning her schedule,
including whether or not she will visit Sichuan Province. Thai
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej will visit June 30-July 3, and
Cyprus Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou will visit June 29-July 1.

RANDT