Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BEIJING1877
2009-07-07 11:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:
JULY 7 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: XINJIANG, RUSSIA
VZCZCXRO3297 OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHTRO RUEHVC DE RUEHBJ #1877/01 1881138 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 071138Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5045 RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001877
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV CH RS
SUBJECT: JULY 7 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: XINJIANG, RUSSIA
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001877
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV CH RS
SUBJECT: JULY 7 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: XINJIANG, RUSSIA
1. Key points at the July 7 MFA press briefing:
- Regarding the events in Xinjiang, MFA spokesperson Qin said that
the "facts could not be clearer" and that an "evil crime" had taken
place that some people called a "peaceful demonstration." Qin said
that these people were cowards and "totally lying," making rumors
and distorting the facts. Such people were "afraid" to see
development in Xinjiang and did not want to see thriving industry in
Xinjiang. Competent authorities had taken decisive measures and
"social order had returned to normal and the situation brought under
control."
- According to Qin, there was evidence that Rebiya Kadeer and the
East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) were responsible for the
attacks and Chinese authorities had already released some evidence
about the involvement of foreign separatists in instigating the
violence. As the investigation continued, Qin said that he believed
"we will find out what happened," and Rebiya could never succeed by
"lying to the public forever." ETIM had also attempted to "ruin"
national unity and separate China and the "true terrorist nature" of
the organization would be exposed to the world.
- Qin said that some journalists were "believed to have violated
certain regulations" but it was possible that local authorities
mistakenly thought that journalists broke local laws.
Attacks in Xinjiang: Evil Crime, Social Order Restored
-------------- --------------
2. Regarding the violence in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, the
"facts could not be clearer" that an "evil crime" had taken place
that some people called a "peaceful demonstration," said
spokesperson Qin Gang at the July 7 regular MFA press briefing. He
said that these people were cowards and "totally lying," making
rumors and distorting the facts and that such people were "afraid"
to see development and thriving industry in Xinjiang. Qin said that
competent authorities had taken decisive measures and "social order
had returned to normal and the situation brought under control."
Rebiya Kadeer and ETIM Responsible for Violence in Xinjiang
-------------- --------------
3. Competent authorities in Xinjiang had called the violence a
"premeditated and orchestrated crime" and a "serious violent
criminal act." According to Qin, there was evidence that Rebiya
Kadeer was responsible for the attacks and competent authorities had
already released some evidence about the involvement of foreign
separatists in instigating the violence. As the investigation
continued, Qin said that he believed "we will find out what
happened," and Rebiya Kadeer could never succeed by "lying to the
public forever." Qin said that Rebiya Kadeer had committed crimes,
and jeopardized national security, and in a spirit of humanity was
allowed to seek medical treatment in the United States under the
condition that she would not undertake activities to "harm China."
Her actions in the last few years proved she would "never stop her
harmful activities" and Qin urged international countries not to
provide any form of support to her separatist activities. Qin said
that the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) had also attempted
to "ruin" national unity and separate China and the "true terrorist
nature" of the organization would be exposed to the world.
Blackout of Phones and Internet
--------------
4. Addressing telephone and internet service blackouts in Xinjiang,
Qin noted the involvement of foreign forces who frequently used cell
phones to incite violence, and said local authorities had taken
responsive measures "according to law" and if journalists had
communication difficulties they could refer to the MFA for
assistance.
China Totally Transparent to Media Organizations
-------------- ---
5. China was totally transparent to media outlets and had organized
and facilitated media reporting in Xinjiang and hoped international
media would be fair and objective in reporting the truth of the
incident. Asked about journalists detained in Xinjiang, Qin said
that some journalists were "believed to have violated certain
regulations" but it was possible that local authorities had
mistakenly believed that journalists had broken local laws. Qin
said that he personally had coordinated with local authorities to
properly solve those issues. He acknowledged that many journalists
were in Xinjiang covering the issue and said that "social order is
returning to normal" and that China welcomed journalists to
Xinjiang, but also hoped they would respect local regulations, abide
by Chinese laws and look out for their personal safety. Out of
concern for journalists' personal safety, Qin said he hoped
BEIJING 00001877 002 OF 002
journalists would understand and cooperate with authorities and
contact the MFA if there were problems. However, if anyone broke
the law, the MFA would be unable to assist them.
Arrests in Xinjiang Were for the Safety of the Chinese People
-------------- --------------
6. Responding to human rights organizations criticisms of China's
handling of the riots, Qin said he was surprised that these
organizations "showed no sympathy for the victims" and were making
use of the incident to "point a finger at China." The purpose of
detaining people was to ensure the safety and security of the
Chinese people, including lives and property, and that any country
that faced such violent acts would not allow them to continue "or
else they would not be a country under the rule of law." Qin said
that these actions had the support of the public. Further
investigations were still needed for those under arrest, but Qin
said that the law was fair, treated everyone equally, and not a
single "good person" would be prosecuted and not a single "bad
person" would escape justice. Some people had a bias against China
and saw a problem with China no matter what China did, and China
could never expect a fair perspective from people "opposed to
justice and the Chinese people."
Attacks on Chinese Missions Abroad
--------------
7. On July 6, demonstrations had taken place outside the Chinese
Embassy in The Hague, the Netherlands. Stones and rocks had been
thrown at the Embassy, breaking windows, putting diplomatic
personnel at risk and disturbing the conduct of diplomatic business,
said Qin. At the Chinese consulate in Munich, two unidentified
persons had thrown Molotov cocktails, causing damage to the building
and flag. China "strongly condemned" the attacks and had made
solemn representations to the Dutch and German governments and urged
them to take all necessary measures to abide by the Vienna
Convention, ensure the safety and dignity of Chinese diplomats and
bring the perpetrators to justice.
Post-START Agreement
--------------
8. China welcomed the signing of a post-START agreement in Moscow
and believed that by reducing their nuclear arsenals, Russia and the
United States could create conditions for global disarmament, a goal
China supported.
GOLDBERG
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV CH RS
SUBJECT: JULY 7 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: XINJIANG, RUSSIA
1. Key points at the July 7 MFA press briefing:
- Regarding the events in Xinjiang, MFA spokesperson Qin said that
the "facts could not be clearer" and that an "evil crime" had taken
place that some people called a "peaceful demonstration." Qin said
that these people were cowards and "totally lying," making rumors
and distorting the facts. Such people were "afraid" to see
development in Xinjiang and did not want to see thriving industry in
Xinjiang. Competent authorities had taken decisive measures and
"social order had returned to normal and the situation brought under
control."
- According to Qin, there was evidence that Rebiya Kadeer and the
East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) were responsible for the
attacks and Chinese authorities had already released some evidence
about the involvement of foreign separatists in instigating the
violence. As the investigation continued, Qin said that he believed
"we will find out what happened," and Rebiya could never succeed by
"lying to the public forever." ETIM had also attempted to "ruin"
national unity and separate China and the "true terrorist nature" of
the organization would be exposed to the world.
- Qin said that some journalists were "believed to have violated
certain regulations" but it was possible that local authorities
mistakenly thought that journalists broke local laws.
Attacks in Xinjiang: Evil Crime, Social Order Restored
-------------- --------------
2. Regarding the violence in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, the
"facts could not be clearer" that an "evil crime" had taken place
that some people called a "peaceful demonstration," said
spokesperson Qin Gang at the July 7 regular MFA press briefing. He
said that these people were cowards and "totally lying," making
rumors and distorting the facts and that such people were "afraid"
to see development and thriving industry in Xinjiang. Qin said that
competent authorities had taken decisive measures and "social order
had returned to normal and the situation brought under control."
Rebiya Kadeer and ETIM Responsible for Violence in Xinjiang
-------------- --------------
3. Competent authorities in Xinjiang had called the violence a
"premeditated and orchestrated crime" and a "serious violent
criminal act." According to Qin, there was evidence that Rebiya
Kadeer was responsible for the attacks and competent authorities had
already released some evidence about the involvement of foreign
separatists in instigating the violence. As the investigation
continued, Qin said that he believed "we will find out what
happened," and Rebiya Kadeer could never succeed by "lying to the
public forever." Qin said that Rebiya Kadeer had committed crimes,
and jeopardized national security, and in a spirit of humanity was
allowed to seek medical treatment in the United States under the
condition that she would not undertake activities to "harm China."
Her actions in the last few years proved she would "never stop her
harmful activities" and Qin urged international countries not to
provide any form of support to her separatist activities. Qin said
that the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) had also attempted
to "ruin" national unity and separate China and the "true terrorist
nature" of the organization would be exposed to the world.
Blackout of Phones and Internet
--------------
4. Addressing telephone and internet service blackouts in Xinjiang,
Qin noted the involvement of foreign forces who frequently used cell
phones to incite violence, and said local authorities had taken
responsive measures "according to law" and if journalists had
communication difficulties they could refer to the MFA for
assistance.
China Totally Transparent to Media Organizations
-------------- ---
5. China was totally transparent to media outlets and had organized
and facilitated media reporting in Xinjiang and hoped international
media would be fair and objective in reporting the truth of the
incident. Asked about journalists detained in Xinjiang, Qin said
that some journalists were "believed to have violated certain
regulations" but it was possible that local authorities had
mistakenly believed that journalists had broken local laws. Qin
said that he personally had coordinated with local authorities to
properly solve those issues. He acknowledged that many journalists
were in Xinjiang covering the issue and said that "social order is
returning to normal" and that China welcomed journalists to
Xinjiang, but also hoped they would respect local regulations, abide
by Chinese laws and look out for their personal safety. Out of
concern for journalists' personal safety, Qin said he hoped
BEIJING 00001877 002 OF 002
journalists would understand and cooperate with authorities and
contact the MFA if there were problems. However, if anyone broke
the law, the MFA would be unable to assist them.
Arrests in Xinjiang Were for the Safety of the Chinese People
-------------- --------------
6. Responding to human rights organizations criticisms of China's
handling of the riots, Qin said he was surprised that these
organizations "showed no sympathy for the victims" and were making
use of the incident to "point a finger at China." The purpose of
detaining people was to ensure the safety and security of the
Chinese people, including lives and property, and that any country
that faced such violent acts would not allow them to continue "or
else they would not be a country under the rule of law." Qin said
that these actions had the support of the public. Further
investigations were still needed for those under arrest, but Qin
said that the law was fair, treated everyone equally, and not a
single "good person" would be prosecuted and not a single "bad
person" would escape justice. Some people had a bias against China
and saw a problem with China no matter what China did, and China
could never expect a fair perspective from people "opposed to
justice and the Chinese people."
Attacks on Chinese Missions Abroad
--------------
7. On July 6, demonstrations had taken place outside the Chinese
Embassy in The Hague, the Netherlands. Stones and rocks had been
thrown at the Embassy, breaking windows, putting diplomatic
personnel at risk and disturbing the conduct of diplomatic business,
said Qin. At the Chinese consulate in Munich, two unidentified
persons had thrown Molotov cocktails, causing damage to the building
and flag. China "strongly condemned" the attacks and had made
solemn representations to the Dutch and German governments and urged
them to take all necessary measures to abide by the Vienna
Convention, ensure the safety and dignity of Chinese diplomats and
bring the perpetrators to justice.
Post-START Agreement
--------------
8. China welcomed the signing of a post-START agreement in Moscow
and believed that by reducing their nuclear arsenals, Russia and the
United States could create conditions for global disarmament, a goal
China supported.
GOLDBERG