PRC DEMARCHE ON TIBETAN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM:

UNCLAS NEW DELHI 002447 SIPDIS ECA FOR WILLIAM BATE, SCA/PPD, EAP/PPD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: IN CH PHUM PREF KPAO SCUL SUBJECT: PRC DEMARCHE ON TIBETAN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: RETHINK UNDERLYING POLITICAL MESSAGES ¶1. (SBU) On September 11, Chinese Political Counselor Hu Zhaoming delivered a demarche to PolCouns regarding Chinese annoyance and disapproval of the USG's Tibetan Scholarship Program (TSP). Hu further expressed the PRC's displeasure with the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs' consulting the Tibetan government-in-exile, known as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA),asserting that these cultural exchanges send an unwelcome political message of support for Tibet. He further emphasized that the PRC disapproves of the USG officials' contact with the CTA as it sends "mixed signals" of USG support to both the Tibetans and the PRC. ¶2. (SBU) Hu accused the Dalai Lama of using his contact with USG officials to convince his supporters that the US supports not only His Holiness as a spiritual leader, but also as a political leader. He further argued that despite the Dalai Lama's promotion of the "middle way" since the early 1990s, he is "still seeking independence, only in a different name." Hu warned that as the situation in Taiwan improves, the Tibet issue will top the PRC's agenda and the US should be prepared for increased pressure from the PRC on its interactions with the CTA and the Dalai Lama. He advised that the USG reaffirm its commitment to the "One-China" policy in this light, because as the Chinese say "saying is saying; doing is doing." ¶3. (SBU) PolCouns assured Hu that the USG's "One-China" policy has not changed. He noted that the USG engages Tibetans on a religious and cultural level, and that the TSP, as a Congressionally ear-marked project, is an expression of this engagement. In response to Hu's criticism of USG-CTA contact, PolCouns refuted Hu,s as sertion that the USG should not meet with Tibetans in Dharamsala and noted that future visits would take place. He emphasized that the USG would like China to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the Dalai Lama's representatives. PolCouns also stressed that the USG recognizes that the Tibetan community does not have a uniform perspective on the future of Tibet, adding that the advisors closest to the Dalai Lama are the most committed to working with the PRC to find a durable solution. ¶4. (SBU) Action Request. Post requests the Department's guidance on whether it is necessary to present a message beyond what PolCouns emphasized. End Action Request. MULFORD