BEIJING 2008 SUMMER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 06 BEIJING 003106 SIPDIS DEPT, FOR, DS/IP/EAP, DS/DSS/DO, DS/TIA/OSAC, DS/P/MECU, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/DO/P, DS/ICI/CI, DS/T/ATA, DS/TIA, DS/TIA/PII, DS/CC, EAP/CM, S/CT, CA/OCS/ACS/EAP, PASS TO TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (TSA) OPERATIONS CENTER, HONG KONG FOR RSO AND LEGAT AND USSS, SHANGHAI FOR RSO, SHENYANG FOR RSO,CHENGDU FOR RSO, GUANGZHOU FOR RSO, USSS HQS FOR INV, OPO, HNL E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/13/2038 TAGS: ASEC CASC CH CMGT ECON KOLY OVIP PREL PTER SUBJECT: BEIJING 2008 SUMMER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT 13, 08/13/2008 REF: A. BEIJING 3091 ¶B. BEIJING 3018 Classified By: DCM Dan Piccuta for reason 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (SBU) The following cable provides information on security, public diplomacy, political, and consular activities related to the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games as of 08/13/2008. ¶2. (U) The interagency USG Joint Operations Center (JOC) can be contacted on a 24-hour basis at the following numbers: - JOC Direct Line: 011-86-010-6532-6966. - U.S. Embassy Beijing: 011-86-010-6532-3431, JOC extension ¶6200. - JOC fax: 011-86-010-6532-4763. - STE and fax: 011-86-010-6532-5163. KEY ISSUES -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The condition of U.S. citizen Barbara Bachman continues to improve; plans are in place to return her to the United States via an SOS international med-evac on 08/14/2008. The remains of Todd Bachman, who was killed in the 08/09/2008 knife attack at Beijing's Drum Tower, will be repatriated to the U.S. on 08/15/2008. Elisabeth Bachman McCutcheon--the daughter of Todd and Barbara Bachman who was present at the time of the attack--was interviewed by Chinese police on 08/12/2008 in the presence of the U.S. Embassy Beijing Legal Attache and representatives of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC). Chinese authorities also passed to USOC a copy of Mrs. McCutcheon's statement on the incident. Accompanied by an officer from the U.S. Embassy's American Citizen Services (ACS) unit, on 08/13/2008 the other two daughters of Todd and Barbara Bachman briefly visited the Drum Tower, site of the fatal attack; Embassy officers have reported that the crime scene remains closed to the public. SECURITY ISSUES -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Threats: There is no significant threat information to report. ¶5. (SBU) Incidents: Explosives Found in Shanghai, Qingdao: According to a report posted on the Hong Kong Information Center for Human Rights website, Shanghai police on 08/09/2008 searched a vehicle parked in front of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau (PSB) and found it contained detonators and explosives. Unidentified sources reportedly stated that two "Xinjiang-looking men" walked away after parking the suspicious vehicle. Attempting to confirm this BEIJING 00003106 002 OF 006 report, the Regional Security Officer (RSO) in Shanghai contacted the PSB, which denied that any such activity had occurred. The RSO will re-address the issue at a more formal meeting with the PSB in an attempt to obtain additional details. Separately, the Center also reported that "objects suspected of being explosives" were found at an eatery near a Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) in Qingdao on 08/08/2008, causing the KFC to evacuate its customers. Witnesses claimed police and a bomb disposal vehicle rushed to the scene; local police confirmed that "something" had happened, but declined making further comments. Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) representatives in the JOC will contact Young Foods--owner of the KFC franchise--to see if they can provide any additional information on the alleged incident. ¶6. (SBU) Individual Noted at Judo Venue: On 08/12/2008, the USG Field Liaison Officer (FLO) assigned to the University of Science and Technology Gymnasium--site of the Judo competition--reported that a male U.S. citizen was representing himself to the U.S. Olympics Judo coach and others as a security advisor affiliated with the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG). The individual--who identified himself as Michael Whalen--displayed Olympic credentials, was in possession of a radio, stated that he had "worked the Bush visit", and implied that he was carrying a weapon. The U.S. Secret Service (USSS) reported that USSS agents were approached by Whalen at the same venue prior to a visit by Former President Bush; Whalen identified himself to the agents as being an "Events Manager" for BOCOG but did not appear to be familiar with the venue. At the time of this interaction with USSS, Whalen did not display any behavior that appeared to be inconsistent with his stated responsibilities. JOC records checks on Whalen have revealed that he has a criminal history and is the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant in the state of New York. The JOC has also contacted BOCOG to confirm Whalen's alleged Olympic affiliation. Neither the USOC security office nor the U.S. Embassy Olympic Security Office are familiar with Whalen. ¶7. (C) More Violence in Xinjiang: According to Xinhua, China,s official state media, on 08/12/2008, an unknown number of assailants jumped from a vehicle at a traffic security inspection checkpoint in Yamanya--located approximately 18 miles from the city of Kashgar in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region--and stabbed four "security staff," killing three. The assailants reportedly remain at large. No other Chinese state media has reported on the incident and Xinhua's English site has not updated the story as of 1400 hours local time; foreign media, however, are carrying reports of the incident. An official in the Kashgar Prefecture Public Security Bureau (strictly protect) told a U.S. Embassy Political Officer on 08/13/2008 that the Yamanya incident is still under investigation and that no American BEIJING 00003106 003 OF 006 citizens were involved. On 08/04/2008, 16 police were killed in an armed attack in Kashgar and on 08/10/2008 up to 12 people were killed in a series of incidents in the town of Kuqa. Chinese analysts attribute the recent spike in attacks on security forces in Xinjiang to the fact that extremists among the region's Uighur minority are seeking to publicize their cause while the world's attention is focused on the Olympics in China. ¶8. (SBU) Olympic Protests: Tibetan Protests Continue: According to an 08/13/2008 press release from "Students for a Free Tibet," (SFT) seven U.S. citizens were detained by Chinese security forces following a protest at the front entrance of the Chinese Ethnic Culture Park located at the south end of the Olympic Green. Five protesters wearing t-shirts that read "Free Tibet" stood behind locked bicycles at the entrance to the cultural park while two other protesters unfurled a "Free Tibet" banner over a nearby pedestrian walkway. ACS staff received a phone call at 1515 hours local from the same SFT-affiliated caller in California who has reported previous protests organized by group; ACS is following up with Beijing Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials on the whereabouts of the detained Americans. When confirmed, this latest round of protests increases the total number of Americans detained in China for protest activity to ¶18. SECURITY OPERATIONS -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Women's Soccer Team Moves to Shanghai: The U.S. Olympic Women's Soccer team has advanced in play from Shenyang to Shanghai; FLOs will accompany the team in their travels. The U.S. Men's Soccer team is currently in Beijing and also appears likely to advance. With the movement of the Women's Soccer team from Shenyang, the RSO in Shenyang is now traveling to Dalian to review security measures and coordination efforts for the U.S. Track and Field team. ¶10. (SBU) Condition of USSS Security Officer: The USSS Security Officer hospitalized on 08/11/2008 for a non-life threatening condition remains in good condition at Beijing United Family Medical Hospital (ref. a). The Security Officer is expected to be released from the hospital in the next two days. VIPS -------------- ¶11. (SBU) FPOTUS Returns to U.S.: The final member of the USG Delegation to the Olympics Opening Ceremony, Former President George H.W. Bush, departed Beijing the morning of 08/13/2008. U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson remains in Beijing and is scheduled to leave the city on 08/15/2008. BEIJING 00003106 004 OF 006 PUBLIC AFFAIRS/PUBLIC DIPLOMACY -------------- ¶12. (SBU) Media Inquiries About Repatriation Efforts: The repatriation flight for the remains of Ann DeWaters, who died on 08/04/2008 after falling through an open manhole (ref. b), was canceled on 08/12/2008 due to volcanic activity near the flight's stop-over point in Alaska. The family and Congressional representatives contacted Consular Affairs' Overseas Citizen Services office in Washington, DC, for an explanation of the delay and to express concern that an American air carrier was not being used. ABC News in Chicago also contacted the U.S. Embassy's Public Affairs Section (PAS) and asked for an explanation for the delay. PAS declined to provide details out of respect for the family, who has not yet decided to talk publicly about the case, but explained in general terms Embassy efforts to assist with the repatriation. The remains are currently scheduled to be repatriated on 08/14/2008 pending final clearance of the flight through Alaska. CONSULAR AFFAIRS -------------- ¶13. (SBU) Update on American Detained for Ticket Scalping: ACS has confirmed with the Beijing PSB the release of the U.S. citizen detained on 08/11/2008 for selling an Olympic ticket to an undercover police officer (ref. a). Ms. Rocio Del Carmen was held briefly and released on the same day without penalty; media reports indicate approximately 29 people were recently detained for ticket re-selling, which is a violation of the terms of sale for Beijing Olympic tickets. ¶14. (SBU) Police Reports for Lost/Stolen Passports: On 08/12/2008, a U.S. citizen was pick-pocketed at the Beijing Capital International Airport; among the items taken was his U.S. passport. PSB officials at the airport stated PSB rules had changed and that it would now take between three and five days to issue a police report for the lost passport. After ACS pointed out that Americans would not be able to check into a hotel without a police report for the missing passport, the PSB officials eventually relented and issued a police report. Although resolved, ACS is concerned this restrictive policy may become a new rule. POLITICAL AFFAIRS -------------- ¶15. (SBU) Press Freedom: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) told a U.S. Embassy Political Officer on 08/12/2008 that three Chinese journalists have confirmed the issuance of a 21-point government directive outlining "sensitive" issues Chinese journalists should refrain from commenting on during BEIJING 00003106 005 OF 006 the Olympics. These issues include blocked overseas websites, religious services provided in the Olympic Village, food safety, and protests in the three Beijing parks set aside as "protest zones." RSF noted that the regulations are similar to a directive released in 2007. Separately, Deutsche Presse Agentur (DPA) reported 08/12/2008 that Chinese journalists had their notebooks confiscated after an 08/10/2008 news conference held by the U.S. Olympics Men's Volleyball team. The press conference included discussion of the recent murder of a U.S. citizen relative of a U.S. Volleyball coach. RSF confirmed these reports, noting that even prior to the Olympics, confiscation of notebooks and equipment was "common" for Chinese journalists covering stories viewed by the Chinese Government as "sensitive" or as "harming national security." ¶16. (C) Foreign Media: A prominent Western journalist in Beijing described to an Embassy Political Officer a shift in Chinese Government strategy toward foreign media. The journalist said he is alarmed by the growing trend within Chinese journalist circles to serve as a "check and balance," not just against the Chinese Government, but against Western journalists. This is a conscious strategy of the leadership and the trend "is getting worse," he said. Although controls on foreign reporters have loosened in recent days, significant problems remain, such as the blocking of sensitive websites. ¶17. (U) Hua Huiqi: A Beijing PSB spokesman denied that PSB officers beat, detained or threatened Chinese Christian activist Hua Huiqi, according to an 08/12/2008 Kyodo World Service news report. The report quoted the PSB spokesman saying that officers had "absolutely no contact" with Hua. Hua was detained 08/10/2008 by Chinese officials while on his way to a Chinese church service attended by President Bush. ¶18. (SBU) Protest Zones: Foreign media reports have lambasted the Chinese Government's so-called "designated protest zones," noting that there has been no protest-related activity at the three designated sites. Foreign reports have also focused on the alleged arrest of Fujian activist Ji Sizun, whom Human Rights Watch reported applied for permission to protest the lack of participation of Chinese citizens in the political process, rampant corruption and abuses of power. Embassy Officers who have regularly visited the protest zones over the past week have seen nothing to dispute reports of inactivity in the supposed "protest zones." ¶19. (U) Opening Ceremony: Charges that aspects of China's Olympic Opening Ceremony were faked continue to be aired. Foreign media have exposed in recent days that some of the fireworks viewed on television during the celebration were computer-generated or enhanced and that the nine-year-old girl who sang a solo "ode to the Motherland" was a BEIJING 00003106 006 OF 006 lip-synching stand-in for the real singer, who is reportedly less telegenic. Web commentators claiming to be mountaineering experts have also noted aspects of the You Tube video of the Olympic Torch ascent of Mt. Everest that suggest the video was not shot on the Everest summit as claimed in Chinese State media. RANDT