(U) REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON PROTESTS BY

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 005953

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2035
TAGS: PINR SOCI CH
SUBJECT: (U) REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON PROTESTS BY
CHINESE FORMER SOLDIERS (C-AL9-02432)

REF: CPP20091109308001

Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY ELISSA G. PITTERLE, DIRECTOR, INR/OPS


1. (C/NF) OPEN SOURCE REPORTS DESCRIBE SEVERAL PROTESTS IN
2009 BY CHINESE FORMER SOLDIERS, USUALLY OVER ISSUES OF
PENSION PAYMENTS AND JOB PLACEMENT. MOST RECENTLY, AS
REPORTED IN THE SUIZHOU MINSHENG GUANCHA ON 26 OCTOBER 2009,
NEARLY 300 RETIRED PEOPLE'S LIBERATION ARMY (PLA) OFFICERS UP
TO THE RANK OF COLONEL GATHERED FROM 10 PROVINCES TO DEMAND
BETTER BENEFITS BEFORE BEING BROKEN UP IN CLASHES WITH
BEIJING POLICE. BEIJING PROBABLY FEARS THAT FORMER SOLDIERS,
PARTICULARLY OFFICERS, COULD USE THEIR ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS
AND CONTACTS TO CREATE WIDESPREAD UNREST, BUT WE LACK INSIGHT
INTO HOW BEIJING PLANS TO ADDRESS THESE PROTESTS. AS TIME
AND RESOURCES PERMIT, ANY INFORMATION ON THIS ISSUE POSTS
ACQUIRE IN THE NORMAL COURSE OF BUSINESS WOULD BE HIGHLY
VALUABLE AND USED IN FINISHED PRODUCTION. MANY THANKS, AND
WARM REGARDS FROM WASHINGTON.


A. (U) HOW CONCERNED IS THE PARTY LEADERSHIP AND THE
MILITARY LEADERSHIP WITH THE CURRENT AND POTENTIAL LEVEL OF
PROTESTS FROM EX-SOLDIERS? WHAT STEPS ARE EITHER CONSIDERING
TO ALLEVIATE CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY DEMOBILIZED SOLDIERS ABOUT
PENSIONS AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES?


B. (U) DID GOVERNMENT SPENDING TO STIMULATE THE ECONOMY IN
THE PAST YEAR INCLUDE ANY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OR
OPPORTUNITIES FOR FORMER SOLDIERS?


C. (U) HOW DOES THE LEVEL OF PROTESTS ORGANIZED BY
DEMOBILIZED SOLDIERS THIS YEAR COMPARE TO PAST YEARS,
INCLUDING THOSE UNDER FORMER PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN?


2. (U) PLEASE CITE C-AL9-02432 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF
REPORTING IN RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS.
CLINTON