CHINA'S ATTACKS ON DALAI LAMA ALARM TIBETAN MPS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 NEW DELHI 001375 SIPDIS DEPT. FOR SPECIAL COORDINATOR FOR TIBETAN ISSUES U/S DOBRIANSKY E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2028 TAGS: CH IN KIRF PGOV PHUM PREF PREL SUBJECT: CHINA'S ATTACKS ON DALAI LAMA ALARM TIBETAN MPS REF: REFTEL NEW DELHI 01333 Classified By: Classified By: Political Counselor Ted Osius for reasons 1.4 (b and d) 1.(C//REL TO ACG) Summary. During a May 15 meeting, Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan "parliament in exile" Dolma Gyari and three fellow "members of parliament" (MPs) expressed gratitude for continued US support and urged increased pressure on Beijing. In contrast to the Dalai Lama's characterization of the Shenzhen talks as "positive," the "MPs" alleged a lack of good faith on the part of the Chinese negotiators and warned that China's personal attacks on the Dalai Lama anger the Tibetan community. They claimed that the number of jailed Tibetans is almost 20 times that reported by the Chinese government. Gyari proposed several opportunities for US-India cooperation on Tibetan aid projects. The "parliamentarians" conveyed a letter to President Bush requesting the USG to consider working with the UN to send a fact-finding mission to Tibet, release the Panchen Lama and other political prisoners, and allow media access and freedom of movement in Tibet (see para 7). End Summary. 2.(C//REL TO ACG) During a May 15 meeting with PolCouns, the Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan "parliament in exile" Dolma Gyari and three fellow "parliamentarians" reiterated their appreciation for the continued support of the USG and the American people and advocated for increased pressure on Beijing. Gyari highlighted the Congressional Medal of Honor given to the Dalai Lama as a significant signal to both the Chinese government and "middle path" Tibetans -- those advocating an approach to achieve the goals of Tibetan autonomy and preserving Tibet's unique culture. Despite the Dalai Lama's assessment that the Shenzen talks were "productive," Gyari alleged a lack of good faith on the part of the Chinese negotiators. However, the "MPs" support continued negotiations if the Chinese engage in a substantive dialogue. Gyari predicted that the next round of talks would be held in late May or early June, adding that they pushed for the date to be moved up from the Dalai Lama's mid-June forecast. She indicated that the Dalai Lama's Special Envoy Lodi Gyari will brief Washington next week. 3.(C//REL TO ACG) The "MPs" voiced concern about the discrepancy between the Chinese government's and the Tibetan government's reported number of Tibetans arrested. Gyari reported that 5,714 Tibetans had been arrested, contrasting sharply with the Chinese government's assertion that only 300 Tibetans have been detained. The "MPs" fear for the whereabouts of the almost 5,000 unaccounted Tibetans. They also objected to China's recent media tactics which negatively affect both Tibetans and Chinese citizens. While the Dalai Lama remains sanguine about the personal attacks of the Chinese government, the "parliamentarians" argued that the repeated affronts could have the intended effect of incensing the Tibetan community. They vowed not to take the bait and abandon negotiations. Gyari noted that, due to state censorship, the Chinese people had not been exposed to the scale of the Tibetans' suffering or the widespread global support for the people of Tibet. She argued that the Chinese Communist Party and Politburo exploit this ignorance by linking the issue of Tibetan autonomy with Chinese nationalism. The PRC's personal attacks are designed to narrow the issue to the Dalai Lama and a few extreme followers instead of the entire Tibetan population, the "parliamentarians" claimed. 4.(C//REL TO ACG) The "MPs" emphasized the importance of India as the "second line of defense," with widespread support for Tibet and the preservation of Tibetan culture in the Himalayan Belt states of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammmu and Kashmir. Gyari said that, while most Tibetan refugees living in exile consider India their most important ally, those remaining in Tibet look to the US for support and eventual liberation. Consequently, she opined, the USG and GOI are natural partners in offering assistance to Tibet. The "MPs" proposed several possible collaborations, including coordinating on monastic institute preservation in Himachal Pradesh. They said they had discussed their plans with BJP opposition leader L.K. Advani. NEW DELHI 00001375 002 OF 003 Gyari invited PolOffs to attend a conference in Shimla to honor the Anniversary of the Shimla Treaty on July 3 and offered to coordinate meetings between Himachal Pradesh parliamentarians and the USG. ¶5. (U) Gyari left PolOffs with a personal letter to President Bush urging the administration to consider seven steps to support the Tibetan cause. The letter proposes that the US and UN send a fact-finding mission to Tibet and facilitate international medical associations to work within Tibet. Gyari appeals to the President to pressure China to uphold fundamental human rights, to release the Dalai Lama and other political prisoners, to allow free movement of people, and to allow media access in Tibet. (See para 7 for full text.) 6.(C) Comment. The "parliamentarians'" message, while sincere, is not new. Their tone continues to be more strident than that of Dalai Lama's office, but their eagerness to move up the next round of talks with China is a positive sign. End Comment. ¶7. (C//REL TO ACG) Begin text: To, His Excellency Mr. George W. Bush President of the United States of America White House Washington DC Respected Mr. President, The standing committee of the democratically elected Tibetan Parliament in exile would like to express our sincere gratitude to you, your administration and the people of United States of America for your sincere concerns and timely actions for the protection of the fundamental human Rights of the people inside Tibet. Due to growing international support for Tibet and China's need to proudly host the 2008 Beijing Olympic, the representatives of the PRC met with the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the 4th of May at ShenZhen, China. However, the PRC continue implementing their repressive policy towards the unarmed Tibetans, makes false allegations and criticisms against His Holiness the Dalai Lama which has led many Tibetans and others to doubt the sincerity of the Chinese Government. According to the reports received by the Tibetan solidarity committee (constituted by the Cabinet and the Tibetan Parliament in exile),beginning from the 10th March till date, 203 Tibetans has been confirmed killed, over one thousand injured and 5,714 arrested. So far, the Chinese authorities have announced conviction of thirty people. One monk was awarded life imprisonment, two got 20 years, three got 15 years and the minimum sentence announced is three years rigorous imprisonment. We cannot accept these unjustified convictions because these trails were not conducted in accordance with due process of law and none of the sentences involved proceeding under manslaughter. It is unfortunate that the only principle followed here, was the repeatedly announced 'strike hard' policy of the communist regime. Tibet continues to remain in tense under undeclared martial law, inaccessible to independent media. Hence, we are deeply concerned about the safety of our people. We, therefore, appeal to you and your administration to urgently consider the following: ¶1. Send a fact-finding delegation to access the real situation inside Tibet. Urge upon the UN to do the same. ¶2. Impress upon China to stop killings & uphold the Fundamental Human Rights inside Tibet. ¶3. Facilitate International medical communities / organizations to render medical assistance to the injured Tibetans inside Tibet. ¶4. Impress upon China to immediately release His Holiness, the Panchen Lama and all other Tibetans political prisoners including Tulku Tenzing Deleck, Rongay Adrak. NEW DELHI 00001375 003 OF 003 ¶5. Impress upon China to allow free movement of people and provide access to daily needs and services. ¶6. Impress upon China to open the entire region of Tibet to free & independent media. ¶7. Impress upon China to respect and follow the principle of Rule of Law & Natural Justice. With our deep appreciation & high regards, Yours sincerely, (signature) Dolma Gyari (Mrs.) Deputy Speaker End text. MULFORD