(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