CHARGE'S CALL WITH DISSIDENT'S WIFE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 003373

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/17/2029
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV SOCI CH
SUBJECT: CHARGE'S CALL WITH DISSIDENT'S WIFE

REF: A. BEIJING 3321

B. BEIJING 3081

C. BEIJING 1734

D. 08 BEIJING 4493


1. (C) On December 17, Charge d'Affaires Robert Goldberg
telephoned Liu Xia, the wife of detained Charter 08 drafter
Liu Xiaobo, to convey USG concerns regarding her husband's
case and sympathy for the difficulties she faced. The Charge
told Liu Xia that United States believed that Liu Xiaobo had
been detained and charged solely as a result of having
exercised his right to free expression by writing and signing
Charter 08. (Reftels B-D.) The USG has repeatedly raised Liu
Xiaobo's case in Washington and Beijing, the Charge noted,
most recently in a letter from Ambassador Huntsman to Chinese
Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and by the State Department
spokesperson on December 14 and 16. The United States, he
said, would continue to engage the Chinese government to urge
Liu's immediate release, to respect those rights it had
itself guaranteed in the PRC Constitution, and to protect
internationally recognized freedoms for all Chinese citizens.
The Charge told Liu Xia that the Embassy would welcome her
suggestions on how the USG could support her and her husband.


2. (C) Liu Xia expressed appreciation for the call and the
efforts of the USG on her husband,s behalf. She noted that
it was a difficult time for her and her husband; likely aware
that the call was being monitored by the Chinese authorities,
she did not make any suggestions for USG action or requests
for assistance.


3. (C) The Charge invited Liu Xia to keep in close contact
with the Embassy and expressed his willingness to meet with
her at a time of her choosing.
GOLDBERG