TRAFFIC CONTROLS REMAIN IN URUMQI UIGHUR QUARTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 002004 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2029 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PROP PTER CH SUBJECT: TRAFFIC CONTROLS REMAIN IN URUMQI UIGHUR QUARTER -- JULY 15 XINJIANG SITREP REF: BEIJING 1990 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Acting Political Section Chief Ben Moeling. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) Embassy officers in Urumqi reported continued high security, including traffic controls, in the Uighur sections of the city July 15. About 50 percent of businesses in the Uighur quarter were closed, including large markets and bazaars. Uighurs remained fearful of being seen speaking at length to foreigners. In the Han sections of Urumqi, however, nearly all businesses were open July 15 and few police were observed. Embassy observers witnessed residents queuing to purchase meat at government-subsidized prices. The Internet and cell phone text messaging services remain down in Urumqi. The Global Times, a sister publication of the Communist Party's People's Daily, launched a new propaganda website devoted to news about the "true Xinjiang." Chinese newspapers gave heavy coverage to reported Al Qaeda threats against Chinese interests abroad. A front-page editorial in People's Daily warned that "internal and external hostile forces" were plotting new "disturbances" in Xinjiang. In Beijing, the Charge was called in again at the Vice Foreign Minister level for a demarche on Rebiya Kadeer. He used the occasion to urge the Chinese government to release Uighur professor Ilham Tohti, who disappeared July 7. End Summary. Main Roads in Uighur District Closed to Cars -------------- ¶2. (C) The official death toll for the Urumqi riots remained at 184 July 15. Embassy officers in Urumqi reported that security remained tight in the Uighur section following the July 13 shooting of two Uighurs by police. Main roads through the Uighur section, including Jiefang Nan Road, remained closed to vehicle traffic, though pedestrians were allowed to pass. Four-to-five police and/or Peoples Armed Police officers were stationed at most major intersections in Uighur neighborhoods. In small alleyways off the main roads, however, few, if any, police or PAP were seen. Approximately 50 percent of businesses in the Uighur section were closed. While many street stalls were open, larger covered markets and bazaars remained closed July 15. Mosques were quiet, with few, if any, worshippers seen coming or going. In contrast to Uighur neighborhoods, Han sections of the city had largely returned to normal with few police and most businesses open. Embassy officers found that ethnic Uighurs remained extremely reluctant to be seen in an extended conversation with foreigners. Han residents with whom EmbOffs spoke, however, seemed unafraid to speak openly and at length about recent unrest. Internet and cellphone text messaging remained blocked July 15. Long Lines for Government Subsidized Meat -------------- ¶3. (SBU) In Urumqi, Embassy officers witnessed the sale of subsidized meat to city residents. Long queues formed at one distribution point near People's Square. The government was selling meat at subsidized prices in an effort to counter negative economic consequences of the riots, according to local residents. These residents said such sales had started two days earlier. Embassy Team Heads to Hotan -------------- ¶4. (C) The Embassy team departed Urumqi in the afternoon and will travel to Hotan (Hetian),a majority Uighur town in the south of Xinjiang. New Propaganda Website Shows "True Xinjiang" -------------- BEIJING 00002004 002 OF 003 ¶5. (SBU) The Global Times, a mass-circulation newspaper published by the Communist Party organ People's Daily, launched a new website July 13 devoted exclusively to news about Xinjiang. While the Global Times said the website "will not avoid sensitive issues, but will present a comprehensive picture of Xinjiang," the contents stick closely to official Chinese versions of the July 5-7 riots. Heavy Press Coverage of Al Qaeda Threats -------------- ¶6. (U) Reports of alleged threats by a North African branch of Al Qaeda against Chinese interests abroad received heavy play in the domestic press July 15, including front-page stories in both the Chinese and English editions of Global Times. Other July 15 articles related to Xinjiang: --The Beijing News' (Xinjing Bao) top story reports "strong demands" by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that foreign countries stop support for East Turkistan organizations. The story states that the State Department spokesman confirmed July 13 that the World Uighur Congress "led by Rebiya Kadeer" receives funding from the U.S. Congress via the National Endowment for Democracy. --A front page editorial in the People's Daily praises the Party, government and "all ethnic groups" for the restoration of order in Xinjiang, but warns that "internal and external hostile forces" were plotting new "disturbances." --The top story in Cankao Xiaoxi ("Reference News"), a national-circulation newspaper published by the Xinhua News Agency, describes how Chinese Internet users were ridiculing Rebiya Kadeer for allegedly using mislabeled photos during media interviews and other "fakery and lies" (zaojia shuohuang). Kadeer is a "little clown running and jumping all over the place" (shangcuan xiatiao xiaochou) the headline reads. This story was reprinted on the Xinhua News Agency Chinese-language website. MFA Demands USG Stop Support for Kadeer -------------- ¶7. (C) The Charge met with Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei at VFM He's request to receive a demarche, which was a repeat of China's admonition that the United States cease support for Rebiya Kadeer. VFM He urged the United States to: --not believe East Turkestan rumors and other anti- China forces; act cautiously; do nothing and say nothing to interfere in China's internal affairs or undermine national security; --stop implicit or explicit support for Rebiya Kadeer and East Turkestan terrorist organizations, and take "credible" action to prevent her from using the United States as a platform for undermining China and conducting separatist activities. Also stop using NED to fund Rebiya Kadeer and her organization; --not allow Rebiya Kadeer "or other leading figures" to meet with U.S. leaders; --persuade the U.S. Congress not to adopt anti-China bills, not to make irresponsible remarks, not to hold hearings and not to be a platform for Rebiya Kadeer's anti-China separatist activities; --bear in mind the larger picture of counterterrorism cooperation, take Chinese concerns seriously and fight against East Turkestan terrorist activities; --honor U.S. obligations under international law, prevent Rebiya Kadeer and her "gang" from taking violent action against the Chinese Embassy, and protect the safety and dignity of Chinese diplomatic facilities. BEIJING 00002004 003 OF 003 ¶8. (C) The Charge noted that the United States government was making regular reports to our leaders and to Congress, and had made only "moderate" statements. He urged China to release Uighur professor Ilham Tohti, a Beijing-based economist and blogger who disappeared on July 7 after being accused by Xinjiang officials of sharing responsibility for the riots. (Full readout septel). GOLDBERG