XINJIANG SITREP FOR JULY 10, 2009

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 001954 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2034 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM CASC CH SUBJECT: XINJIANG SITREP FOR JULY 10, 2009 REF: BEIJING 1929 Classified By: Acting Politcal Minister Counselor Ben Moeling. Reasons 1.4 (b),(d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) No major incidents of unrest occurred during in Urumqi during the course of July 9, though Embassy officers witnessed a brief scuffle as security forces broke up a demonstration of about 30 Uighurs in front of western journalists on July 10. The People's Armed Police (PAP) presence in the Uighur quarter was visibly increased during the course of the day, most likely in an attempt to forestall any unrest related to Friday prayers. Many mosques were closed during the morning but Poloff witnessed the central mosque open for Friday prayers at 1430. Uigurs told Poloff that security officials were searching for, and detaining, Uighurs who had been injured on July 5. Han residents continued to express anger at the Chinese government for failing to prevent the violence. A/DCM met with MFA officials who emphasized that China appreciates the "cautious and careful" USG response. MFA said that China has not disclosed publicly the numbers of dead from each ethnicity because the information could "trigger reprisal actions" against the Uighurs. In his first public comments on the unrest after a July 8 meeting of the Politburo, President Hu Jintao issued a joint statement with the Standing Committee noting that preserving overall stability in Xinjiang is the most urgent task and calling for stern punishment of rioters and the "education" of the general public in Xinjiang. End Summary. Urumqi Remains Calm -------------- ¶2. (C) Poloff in Urumqi reported that there had been no unrest during the evening of July 9. An increasing number of businesses were reopening. The People's Armed Police (PAP) presence in the Uighur quarter was visibly increased during the course of the day, possibly in an attempt to forestall any unrest related to Friday prayers. A PAP unit in body armor with armored personnel carriers marched information in the central bazaar in the Uighur quarter, the first such display of force in two days. On July 10, Poloff witnessed a single small altercation involving a number of Uighurs. The incident immediately attracted a crowd of journalists and was quickly dispersed by the PAP. ¶3. (C) Mosques visited by Poloff had remained closed throughout the morning, some with handwritten signs advising worshippers to pray at home "for the safety of the mosque." However, shortly before 1430 Poloff witnessed that a large mosque in the center of the city was abruptly opened and large numbers of worshippers entered for Friday prayers with no opposition from security personnel. For the first time, Poloff witnessed PAP vehicles with loudspeakers broadcasting propaganda messages in Uighur. Uighurs Apprehensive, Han Angry -------------- ¶4. (C) Uigur residents told poloff that arrests were ongoing and alleged that security officials were searching for, and detaining, Uighurs who had been injured on July 5 but had refrained from seeking medical treatment. Han residents continued to express anger both towards Uighurs and the Chinese government for "allowing (the riots) to happen." Several Han interlocutors told poloff that the violence was a watershed event for them and that bitterness towards the government would likely linger for a long time. Han continued to express frustration with a lack of U.S. support for Han victims which was perceived as a U.S. "double standard" on human rights. Journalists Largely Unrestricted -------------- ¶5. (C) Poloff witnessed journalists moving unrestricted in all parts of the city. Western journalists reported that they were beginning to experience increased hostility from Han residents with some shouting at journalists to go home. The municipal government announced that on July 11 it would convene a press conference at which foreign exchange students, foreign experts and scholars resident in Urumqi would speak to the press. Hu Jintao Weighs In -------------- BEIJING 00001954 002 OF 003 ¶6. (U) In his first public comments on the unrest after a July 8 meeting of the Politburo, President Hu Jintao issued a joint statement with the Standing Committee noting that preserving overall stability in Xinjiang is the most urgent task and calling for stern punishment of rioters and the "education" of the general public in Xinjiang. Military Posture -------------- ¶7. (S) Embassy reporting assesses that the security response in Urumqi involved a single PAP division. The security response made no impact on PLA operations. Military exercises on the east coast were observed to be proceeding as normal. MFA Reaction -------------- ¶8. (C) Acting DCM William Weinstein met with MFA North American and Oceanian Affairs Department Acting Director General Ding Xiaowen July 10 to discuss Xinjiang. Ding prefaced his official comments with his "personal view, as a friend" that the situation in Urumqi is very serious and the entire Chinese nation is following it closely. He welcomed that the response of the United States government to this point has been "cautious and careful." The A/DCM reiterated U.S. condolences for the loss of life due to the violence in Urumqi. ¶9. (C) Turning to his notes, Ding declared that China has kept the United States informed of the latest developments and has expressed a "clear and understandable" position. Rebiya Kadeer and "East Turkestan" forces were lobbying for the support of the U.S. government and Congress, distorting the truth and "making excuses" for their separatist activities. According to Chinese information, Rebiya Kadeer had asked for meetings with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Secretary Hillary Clinton. In addition, it was possible that Kadeer would attempt to lobby Congress. Kadeer is "a criminal convicted in Chinese court who is carrying out separatist activities despite having been released to the United States for medical reasons." China opposed any country's "work with her on her separatist agenda." Allowing the Secretary or the Speaker to meet with her, or allowing her to lobby Congress, would constitute a gross interference in China's internal affairs, damage China's interests, violate Chinese public opinion and send wrong signals. ¶10. (C) Ding provided a description of the events of July 5-7 that was consistent with the Chinese government's previous discussions with us on the subject, but noted that the situation had "returned to order." He urged the United States to "be careful" and not let Rebiya Kadeer or the World Uighur Congress conduct separatist activity from within the United States. ¶11. (C) The A/DCM noted that Rebiya Kadeer's actions in the United States to date had violated no U.S. laws, and the United States respects the right of freedom of speech. Preventing a person from speaking, even on a sensitive political subject, was "not a possibility," and there was no way to prevent a Member of Congress meeting with whomever s/he wished. He reiterated the U.S. government's concern about the situation in Urumqi and said there ought to be a "cooling off period" so the city could begin to return to normalcy. In that same vein, he urged the Chinese to stop emphasizing that the unrest was "orchestrated" from the United States. Saying the problem is from the United States is not helpful to U.S.-China relations, he said. ¶12. (C) Ding continued, noting that "many U.S. Congressmen" had made statements not condemning the violence and calling the unrest a peaceful assembly and saying there needed to be legal reform in China. China understands that Congressmen have the right to speak in the United States, but there "is only one U.S. government, and at this crucial moment all countries need to be careful not to say the wrong thing." ¶13. (C) Ding emphasized that the percentage of Han vs. Uighur citizens killed is "extremely sensitive." It is not a problem to give this information to foreigners, he said, but domestically the issue is "much bigger" because the number of Han victims is so high that it could "trigger reprisal actions" against the Uighurs. This is why the Chinese have not disclosed publicly the numbers of dead from each ethnicity. ACS Issues -------------- ¶14. (SBU) To date, the Consular Section has been in touch with 74 American citizens in Xinjiang, 45 in Urumqi, 12 elsewhere in Xinjiang and 17 who have since departed the region. None of the American citizens contacted reported BEIJING 00001954 003 OF 003 sensing any anti-American sentiment from either Uighurs or Han. GOLDBERG