Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08NEWDELHI2447
2008-09-11 12:12:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy New Delhi
Cable title:
PRC DEMARCHE ON TIBETAN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM:
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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
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
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