Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09VLADIVOSTOK38
2009-03-20 04:54:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Vladivostok
Cable title:  

CHINESE STILL SMOLDERING OVER FREIGHTER SINKING IN RUSSIAN

Tags:  PREL ECON SENV RS 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO5038
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDBU RUEHFK RUEHHM RUEHKSO RUEHLN RUEHNAG RUEHPB RUEHPOD
RUEHYG
DE RUEHVK #0038 0790454
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 200454Z MAR 09
FM AMCONSUL VLADIVOSTOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1109
INFO RUEHXD/MOSCOW POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHZU/ASIAN PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0282
RUEHVK/AMCONSUL VLADIVOSTOK 1211
UNCLAS VLADIVOSTOK 000038 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ECON SENV RS
SUBJECT: CHINESE STILL SMOLDERING OVER FREIGHTER SINKING IN RUSSIAN
FAR EAST

UNCLAS VLADIVOSTOK 000038

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ECON SENV RS
SUBJECT: CHINESE STILL SMOLDERING OVER FREIGHTER SINKING IN RUSSIAN
FAR EAST


1. (SBU) In an introductory meeting with the new Chinese
representative to Vladivostok, Lu Jingo told CG that the sinking
of a freighter with Chinese crew by Russian Border Guards that
resulted in the deaths of eight Chinese merchant sailors was an
excessive use of Russian force. Jingo would not comment on
whether the incident has had an impact on overall
Chinese-Russian relations, but he made it clear that he does not
hold the Russian Border Guards in very high regard. Jingo's
most stinging comment came when the CG complimented Jingo on his
assignment to Vladivostok. The Chinese official said that he
really did not want to be posted here, because he considers the
Far East to be "dangerous" for Chinese people, even diplomats.

SINKING OF THE NEW STAR
--------------


2. (SBU) Jingo spent several days in Nakhodka following the
February 15 sinking of the vessel "New Star." He admitted that
the New Star Captain was guilty of leaving port without all of
the proper documents, but Russian Border Guards acted
inappropriately in opening fire and sinking the ship. The "New
Star" was carrying a cargo of rice, which apparently was
initially not being accepted by Russian importers due to
"quality concerns." The rice was eventually unloaded. Russian
Border Guards now claim the "New Star" was also involved in
smuggling. There are rumors that the Russian importers were
intially refusing to accept the rice, although it was of
acceptable quality, to collect insurance. Whatever the details,
the incident has cooled relations considerably. Jingo dismissed
the idea that Russia might compensate the families of the eight
sailors who died in the waters off of Nakhodka when their life
raft flipped and they died of exposure in the February ocean
waters.

POACHING "GOOD BUSINESS"
--------------


3. (SBU) Jingo did not comment when asked about the overall
level of criminalization in the Far East and he seemed to view
poaching as "good business," rather than an opportunity for
cross border cooperation. Jingo blamed Russians for the
poaching of tigers and other endasngered animals in Russia for
sale in China. Regarding the March 6 murder of a Chinese
entrepreneur in Vladivostok, Jingo said that incident was "a
random crime." He did say that he personally did not feel safe
in Vladivostok due in part to the "racism" of Russians.

CONSULATES GENERAL FOR VLADIVOSTOK AND HARBIN?
-------------- -


4. (SBU) Jingo said that Vladivostok remains attractive for
Chinese businessmen with one Chinese business delegation a month
coming to talk with Russian counterparts. He added that 70 to
80 percent of all tourists in Vladivostok are Chinese. For his
part, the consular section in Vladivostok issues about 200
Chinese visas a day to Russian citizens.


5. (SBU) Due to the increased business, the Chinese have offered
to upgrade the consular section in Vladivostok, which reports to
the Consulate General in Khabarovsk, to a proper Consulate
General, with the Russians opening a CG in Harbin in Northern
China. The Chinese are waiting for Russia's answer on their
diplomatic note.

ARMBRUSTER