TIBET: MFA TELLS AMBASSADOR PROTESTERS ARE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 000981

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/15/2033
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF CH
SUBJECT: TIBET: MFA TELLS AMBASSADOR PROTESTERS ARE
SEPARATISTS ORGANIZED BY DALAI LAMA

REF: A. DS-EMBASSY BEIJING E-MAIL 03/15/08


B. BEIJING 979

Classified By: Ambassador Clark T. Randt, Jr.
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

Summary
--------------


1. (C) Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi provided a
propaganda-heavy description of the current unrest in Lhasa
to the Ambassador the evening of March 15. Liu described
incidents of "beating, burning and looting" and said the
unrest was the coordinated effort of the "Dalai Lama clique"
aimed at splitting China and disrupting the Olympics. He
denied the Embassy's request for some Embassy and Consulate
General Chengdu staff to travel to Lhasa immediately, saying
that "under current circumstances it will be difficult to
arrange visits of diplomatic staff to Tibet." The Ambassador
provided a response to concerns regarding protection of
Chinese diplomatic facilities in the United States raised by
MFA in a call with the Ambassador earlier in the day. End
Summary.

FORMAL PRESENTATION BY ASSISTANT FOREIGN MINISTER
-------------- --------------


2. (C) The Ambassador requested a call with Assistant Foreign
Minister Liu Jieyi March 15 to discuss the Embassy's request
that the Chinese Government approve the travel of several
Embassy and Consulate General Chengdu staff to Lhasa. The
MFA initially informed the Embassy that AFM Liu was
traveling, then called back late in the day to request the
Ambassador meet with AFM Liu after his return to Beijing, at
9:30 PM. MFA had called in other Embassies as well; the
Ambassador passed the Canadian and French Ambassadors' cars
coming in to the Foreign Ministry as he departed.


3. (C) AFM Liu read a formal statement, which he described as
a "confidential communication between our countries" that the
PRC would not make known to the public. Knowing the United
States is following the situation in Tibet closely, AFM Liu
said he was under instructions to report the current
situation to the Ambassador, which derives from a report
provided to the Chinese Government by the leaders of the
Tibet Autonomous Region.


4. (C) AFM Liu reported that a "handful of people" in Lhasa
engaged in beating, smashing and looting activities,
jeopardizing public order as well as the lives and property
of local people. A "very small number" of people attacked
police on patrol and went on to burn schools, hospitals,
banks and businesses. More than 30 buildings were burned,
plus another 100 homes. In addition, 12 civilian and police
vehicles were burned, and "10 innocent people were burned
alive or hacked to death." Twelve police were seriously
wounded. There is "ample evidence," AFM Liu said, that these
activities were "organized, premeditated and masterminded" by
the "Dalai Lama clique." These activities "aroused the
indignation and anger of all people in Tibet," and the local
authorities are "taking appropriate measures" to deal with
the situation. "It is evident that these people are not
making peaceful demonstrations and are cruelly sabotaging
peace," AFM Liu said.


5. (C) In order to maintain social stability and ensure the
safety of people's life and property, the Tibet Autonomous
Region (TAR) authorities have, in accordance with law, "taken
measures," he continued. "Law enforcement authorities have
used utmost restraint and did not use lethal weapons. This
was not suppression." These measures were in line with the
law and supported by the masses, he noted.


6. (C) It is the "sinister intent of the Dalai clique" to
create incidents during this "sensitive period" and then
escalate the situation to the point of causing bloodshed.
This is to create pressure on the Chinese Government and harm
the environment for the Olympics, as well as weaken stability
and social harmony, he said.


7. (C) Referring to the 1959 invasion of Tibet, Liu
continued: "49 years ago, Tibet underwent democratic reforms
resulting in the liberation of over one million serfs."
Tremendous change has taken place in Tibet, including the
achievement of political stability, economic development,
ethnic unity and greatly raised living standards for people.
Tibetan people now enjoy the rights of religious freedom and
belief, and their access to medical care, education and
culture is now guaranteed, Liu claimed.

BEIJING 00000981 002 OF 002




8. (C) The Chinese Government is "absolutely capable" of
guaranteeing stability and harmony in Tibet, and the current
violence "enjoys no public support and is doomed to failure,"
AFM Liu went on. Outside countries and media are "making
unfounded and even slanderous" charges against the
authorities. He "hopes and urges" the United States to
recognize that the current violence is the act of "the Dalai
clique" and that it is aimed at splitting China and
disrupting the Olympic Games. "Do not be taken in by the
Dalai clique and anti-China elements," Liu concluded.

NO TO LHASA TRAVEL REQUEST
--------------


9. (C) The Ambassador reiterated the importance to the United
States that U.S. diplomatic personnel be granted access to
Lhasa to safeguard the welfare of American citizens and check
on the situation on the ground. AFM Liu noted the
"meticulous measures" the TAR authorities had taken to
guarantee the security of American citizens but stated that
"under current circumstances, it will be difficult to arrange
visits by diplomatic staff to Tibet." The Chinese Government
will consider such visits when the situation calms down, Liu
said.

AMBASSADOR REPLIES TO MFA CONCERNS
--------------


10. (C) Referring to Director General Zheng Zeguang's
telephone call with him earlier in the day (reftels),the
Ambassador provided further information on two security
incidents involving Chinese diplomatic premises or personnel
in the United States. AFM Liu expressed gratitude at the
speed of the response to Chinese concerns. Liu stressed that
the events in Tibet "show the violence of these people and
the importance of protecting our facilities and prevent
sabotage."
RANDT