JULY 10 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DEPORTED UK CITIZEN, OLYMPICS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 002701 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV KOLY PHUM PTER MNUC KS KN JP SU CH FR MW SUBJECT: JULY 10 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: DEPORTED UK CITIZEN, OLYMPICS, MEDIA FREEDOM, SIX-PARTY TALKS, XINJIANG TERRORISM, FRENCH DALAI LAMA MEETING, SUDAN, VISITS REF: OSC/FBIS CPP20080710968155 BEIJING 00002701 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. Key points at the July 10 MFA press briefing were: -- Dechen Pemba, a UK citizen deported from Beijing July 8, is a leading member of the Tibetan Youth Congress, a "separatist organization." -- The issue of a "verification mechanism" will be discussed during this week's Six-Party Talks Heads of Delegation meeting. -- "Some requests" of China might not be satisfied for "some reasons," said Liu when asked about guarantees of media freedom during the Olympics. -- The Dalai Lama issue is an internal affair of China and China's position on the Tibetan issue is consistent and clear. -- Visit: Montenegrin Foreign Minister Milan Rocen will visit China July 15-16 at the invitation of FM Yang. Deported UK Citizen Admitted to Illegal Activities -------------- -------------- ¶2. At the July 10, 2008, regular MFA press briefing, MFA Spokesman Liu Jianchao said that Dechen Pemba, a UK citizen deported from Beijing July 8, is a leading member of the Tibetan Youth Congress, a "separatist organization," and has "admitted to committing activities that are against Chinese law." Her admission of guilt is a "hard fact." This incident has "nothing to do with the Olympics," added Liu, asking that specific questions be referred to the relevant department. Six-Party Talks to Discuss Verification Mechanism -------------- -------------- ¶3. Asked about the possibility of a "verification mechanism" being agreed upon during this week's Six-Party Talks Heads of Delegation meeting, Liu said he believes "the issue will be discussed." Liu stated that the Talks are focused on how to implement the remaining "Second Phase actions," and that the MFA would brief the press in due time. Media Freedom During the Olympics -------------- ¶4. China might not satisfy "some requests" of the press for "some reasons," said Liu when asked about guarantees of media freedom during the Olympics. China will do its best to grant requests, and Liu will convey reporters' requests to the relevant authorities. The Beijing City Government, BOCOG and the entire Chinese Government have the same aspiration, which is to have the "perfect Olympic Games." Asked why journalists will be allowed access to Tiananmen Square only at certain times, Liu replied that Tiananmen can expect "large loads of tourists" and "big activities" during the Games. Sarkozy Visit, French FM Comments -------------- ¶5. The Dalai Lama issue is an internal affair of China and China's position on the Tibetan issue is consistent and clear, said the spokesman when asked about the French Foreign Minister's reported comments in response to Chinese criticism of his meeting with the Dalai Lama. Asked how China would handle Chinese public protests during President Sarkozy's visit to China, Liu said that he thinks the Chinese people will show hospitality to all foreign guests. Commenting on France's recent efforts to improve bilateral relations, the spokesman said he hopes China and France can turn a new page in relations, maintain a long-term perspective and overcome difficulties. Terrorism in Xinjiang -------------- ¶6. The facts prove that there are terrorist organizations in Xinjiang that engage in terrorist activities, said Liu when asked about overseas Uighur groups' doubts of the facts surrounding an alleged raid on terrorists in Urumqi July 8. Liu told reporters to contact public security authorities with specific questions BEIJING 00002701 002.2 OF 002 regarding the incident. "East Turkestan" Islamic terrorist groups have links to forces inside and outside China, stated Liu. He acknowledged seeing reports in the Chinese media today that Chinese police have detained 82 suspected terrorists in the first half of 2008, adding that the Chinese Government is "very solid" on this issue (reftel). Many Efforts to Solve Darfur Crisis -------------- ¶7. China has made many efforts to solve the Darfur crisis, including contributing peace-keeping forces to Darfur. China hopes to solve the crisis and to help the people of Sudan overcome difficulties and have peaceful lives and development, said Liu when asked if China is satisfied with the situation in Darfur. China supports the "dual-track" approach, which seeks to implement the UN and African Union consensus and work for conciliation through negotiations. Sudan is a friend of China, he stated. Visit: Montenegrin FM -------------- ¶8. Montenegrin Foreign Minister Milan Rocen will visit China July 15-16 at the invitation of FM Yang. RANDT