CHINA URGES FBI DIRECTOR TO RESTRICT UIGHUR GROUPS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 002084 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2029 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PTER CH SUBJECT: CHINA URGES FBI DIRECTOR TO RESTRICT UIGHUR GROUPS Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Ben Moeling. Reasons 1.4 (b),(d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) MFA Vice Minister Zhang Zhijun, in a July 17 meeting with FBI Director Robert S. Muller, called on the United States to restrict the activities of Uighur "terrorist and separatist" groups operating on U.S. soil. Zhang also raised the Guantanamo Uighur detainees and urged the USG to step up security for visiting Chinese VIPs and diplomatic missions. Director Mueller responded that the USG was sympathetic to the loss of life in the riots, and urged China be transparent about the evidence it had connecting the unrest to terrorist groups. End Summary. "Terrorists and Separatists" -------------- ¶2. (C) In a July 17 meeting with FBI Director Robert ¶S. Mueller, MFA Vice Minister Zhang Zhijun asked the United States to limit the activities of "East Turkestan terrorist and separatist" elements, including their "ringleaders" in the United States. These groups constituted a direct threat to the ethnic and national unity of China as well as to life, property and public order. Zhang repeated standard talking points regarding the July 5 riot in Urumqi, Xinjiang, explaining that the riot was "carefully organized" and perpetrated by three forces (separatism, terrorism, and religious extremism) inside and outside China. Citing Al Qaeda in Maghreb threats against Chinese interests abroad, Zhang asserted that East Turkistan groups showed a "clear trend towards violence." Zhang urged the United States to stay on high alert against these "terrorist and separatist elements," return all Uighur detainees at Guantanamo to China, and boost security for Chinese official delegations and diplomatic missions in the United States. ¶3. (C) Zhang expressed frustration that the United States was not taking Chinese security concerns seriously. Chinese people were asking, "We've been doing so much for the U.S. on counterterrorism, why isn't the United States taking our considerations seriously?" Zhang also repeated standard points on Rebiya Kadeer: that China only allowed her to go abroad on humanitarian grounds and that she "broke her promise" not to engage in political activities. More U.S.-China Law Enforcement Cooperation Needed -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) Mueller expressed sympathy for the loss of life in Xinjiang and stressed that groups or individuals such as the Falun Gong or Rebiya Kadeer had a right to state their views in the United States under the First Amendment. If China were convinced terrorists were responsible for the July 5 riot, then China must show transparent evidence of terrorist involvement. Zhang replied that as the investigation into the Urumqi violence continued, "proof would be brought to light." Zhang said he hoped to see closer cooperation in counterterrorism and law enforcement. ¶5. (C) Mueller added that there would be many opportunities for law enforcement cooperation in the future, citing the Bank of China Kaiping case as an example. Also, Mueller stated that federal law enforcement agencies were concerned about the safety of Chinese diplomatic missions and would do what they could to protect both official and non-official Chinese citizens living in or traveling to the United States. Cooperation on Bank of China Kaiping Case -------------- ¶6. (C) In reference to the Bank of China case, Zhang thanked Mueller for making an effort to stop criminals from depositing illicit funds in the BEIJING 00002084 002 OF 002 United States. Muller mentioned that the United States had already returned approximately $3.5 million and was talking with China's Ministry of Public Security about devising a mechanism to prevent criminals from fleeing to the United States to avoid justice. GOLDBERG