Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BEIJING2593
2008-07-01 11:57:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR PROTESTS ACTIVISTS' DETENTION
how-toVZCZCXRO7179 OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC DE RUEHBJ #2593 1831157 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 011157Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8382 INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 002593
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2033
TAGS: PHUM PREL OVIP CH
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR PROTESTS ACTIVISTS' DETENTION
Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Ben Moeling.
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
(C) The Ambassador protested the detention of human rights
activists Zhang Mingxuan, Teng Biao, Jiang Tianyong and Li
Baiguang in a July 1 conversation with Assistant Foreign
Minister Liu Jieyi. The Ambassador also protested actions
taken by Chinese officials to prevent these four individuals
from attending June 30 meetings with visiting Congressmen
Frank Wolf (R-VA) and Christopher Smith (R-NJ). AFM Liu said
that the Congressmen's desire to hold meetings with
"sensitive people" was incompatible with the stated purpose
of their visit but claimed that the four activists had "not
really been detained." Liu further asserted that comments
made by the Congressmen at their July 1 press conference in
Beijing were "inaccurate." The Ambassador urged the Chinese
Government to immediately release Zhang, Teng, Jiang and Li.
RANDT
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2033
TAGS: PHUM PREL OVIP CH
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR PROTESTS ACTIVISTS' DETENTION
Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Ben Moeling.
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
(C) The Ambassador protested the detention of human rights
activists Zhang Mingxuan, Teng Biao, Jiang Tianyong and Li
Baiguang in a July 1 conversation with Assistant Foreign
Minister Liu Jieyi. The Ambassador also protested actions
taken by Chinese officials to prevent these four individuals
from attending June 30 meetings with visiting Congressmen
Frank Wolf (R-VA) and Christopher Smith (R-NJ). AFM Liu said
that the Congressmen's desire to hold meetings with
"sensitive people" was incompatible with the stated purpose
of their visit but claimed that the four activists had "not
really been detained." Liu further asserted that comments
made by the Congressmen at their July 1 press conference in
Beijing were "inaccurate." The Ambassador urged the Chinese
Government to immediately release Zhang, Teng, Jiang and Li.
RANDT