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