From: Aftenposten
Date: 21.08.2008:
S E C R E T 
SECTION 01 OF 06 BEIJING 003216
NOFORN 
SIPDIS
DEPT, FOR, DS/IP/EAP, 
DS/DSS/DO, DS/TIA/OSAC, DS/P/MECU, 
DS/TIA/ITA, DS/DO/P, 
DS/ICI/CI, DS/T/ATA, DS/TIA, 
DS/TIA/PII, DS/CC, EAP/CM, S/CT, 
CA/OCS/ACS/EAP, PASS TO 
TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (TSA)
OPERATIONS CENTER, HONG KONG FOR RSO AND LEGAT AND USSS, 
SHANGHAI FOR RSO, SHENYANG FOR RSO,CHENGDU FOR RSO, GUANGZHOU FOR RSO, 
USSS HQS FOR INV, OPO, HNL
E.O. 12958:
DECL: 08/21/2038 
TAGS: ASEC, CASC, CH, CMGT, ECON, KOLY, OVIP, PREL, PTER 
SUBJECT: BEIJING 2008 SUMMER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT 21,
08/21/2008
REF: A. BEIJING 3049 B. BEIJING 3171 C. BEIJING 3200 D. BEIJING 3117
Classified By: Acting DCM Michael Regan for reason 1.4 (b), (d)

1. (SBU)
The following cable provides information on security, public
diplomacy, political, and consular activities related to the
Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games as of 08/21/2008.

2. (U)
The interagency USG Joint Operations Center (JOC) can be
contacted on a 24-hour basis at the following numbers:
[TEXT REMOVED BY AFTENPOSTEN]

KEY ISSUES 
---------- 

3. (SBU)
The USG Delegation to the Olympics Closing Ceremony--headed by
Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao and Health and Human Services
Secretary Michael Leavitt--is scheduled to arrive in Beijing
on 08/21/2008. Delegation members also include former State
Department Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public
Affairs Karen Hughes and former Olympian Michelle Kwan--who
are already in Beijing to attend the Games--as well as U.S.
Olympic Committee (USOC) President Peter Ueberroth, and the
U.S. Ambassador to Beijing.

4. (U)
Typhoon Nuri continues to move through the South China Sea on
a northwesterly heading; the storm--which is currently
sustaining winds of approximately 90 miles per hour--is
expected to make landfall approximately 125 miles from Hong
Kong on the evening of 08/21/2008 and the morning of
08/22/2008. Current estimates indicate that Hong Kong and the
southeastern coast of China will be hit with tropical storm
strength winds and rain throughout the day on 08/22/2008
before the storm is projected to dissipate on 08/23/2008, the
day before the Olympics Closing Ceremony. The final Olympics
Equestrian event in Hong Kong is scheduled to take place on
the evening of 08/21/2008.

SECURITY ISSUES 
--------------- 
5. (S/NF)
Threats: Update on Threat to U.S. President:
The Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) in mid-August
told U.S. officials of its findings regarding four telephone
numbers possibly associated with a plot to conduct an attack
against the President of the United States during the Olympic
Games (ref. a). Two of the numbers reportedly were no longer
working, one was connected to an associate of a World Uighur
Congress (WUC) member, and one was associated with the former
wife of a Norway-based East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM)
member. In response to a U.S. request for more information
about the travel of an ETIM member between Dubai, Hong Kong,
and Beijing, the MSS claimed its investigation did not reveal
the individual had entered or exited China, but noted it was
continuing to investigate. The U.S. President departed Beijing
on 08/11/2008 without incident. (For additional information,
please see TD-314/061931-08, dated August 20.)

6. (S/REL to USA, IESC)
Incidents: China Reportedly Detains 35 Pakistanis:
According to an 08/20/2008 article in the Lahore Daily Times
Online, Chinese authorities have detained 35 Pakistanis
visiting China on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack to
disrupt the Beijing Olympics. Chinese officials reportedly
sent a letter to the Pakistani Government requesting detailed
information on the arrested individuals. Separate classified
tearline reporting (ref. b) had indicated on 08/18/2008 that
"thirty-three suspected terrorists may attempt to cross the
border between Pakistan and China with the intention of
sabotaging the Beijing Olympics. The suspected terrorists are
of Chinese and Pakistani descent and are allegedly being sent
by various unnamed terrorist organizations." At the 08/20/2008
Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) press conference,
the MFA spokesman, responding to a reporter´s question, said
the MFA has "no relevant information" on the reported
detentions but offered to help update reporters on
developments. For analytical context and comment on this
reporting, please refer to the Threat Integration Center (TIC)
0500 Olympic situation report dated 08/20/2008, which is
available via the National Counterterrorism Center´s NCTC
Online site.

7. (S)
Report of Explosives in Shanghai:
According to tearline language, "Olympics security forces in
Shanghai were dispatched to neutralize a possible explosive
device on 08/19/2008." The JOC has no additional information
to confirm this report. Please refer to the Threat Integration
Center (TIC) 1700 Olympic situation report dated
08/20/2008--available via the NCTC online site--for analytical
comment.

8. (SBU)
Update on Possible Beijing Truck Explosion: On 08/20/2008, the
USG Open Source Center identified an Internet posting from an
alleged eye-witness to the reported 08/17/2008 truck explosion
at a Beijing security checkpoint (ref. c). In his statement,
the witness claimed that a truck caught fire and exploded in
front of his bus at the Baimiao inspection station; if
accurate, this information appears to undermine the statement
made by the Hong Kong Information Center for Human Rights and
Democracy that the incident was terrorism-related. In response
to a request made by the Olympic Security Coordinator (OSC) on
08/20/2008 for additional information on the alleged truck
explosion (ref. c), the Beijing Public Security Bureau (PSB)
has denied that the incident occurred.

9. (SBU)
Olympic Protests: Two More Americans Detained for Pro-Tibet Protest:
Shortly after midnight on 08/21/2008, a California-based
"Students for a Free Tibet" (SFT) activist--who has previously
notified the U.S. Embassy of detained American
protesters--informed American Citizen Services (ACS) that two
more SFT protesters were taken into custody by the Beijing
Public Security Bureau (PSB) for unfurling a Tibetan flag and
chanting "Free Tibet" at the corner of Beichen and 4th Ring
Roads near the Olympic Sports Center Stadium. A German-Tibetan
national and a UK citizen were reportedly detained with the
two Americans. ACS made telephonic and written inquiries to
the PSB seeking confirmation of the detentions. With this
incident, a total of 35 American activists have been detained
for staging pro-Tibet protests since 08/06/2008.

10. (SBU)
Six Americans Remain in Detention: 
Separately, six other U.S. citizens remain in custody
following their detention on 08/19/2008 in conjunction with an
attempt to use lasers to project "Free Tibet" messages on
buildings. (Note: Three of these detentions were reported in
ref. c. End note.). Phone calls made to ACS by friends and
family of the Americans reveal that the six are part of a
group called "Free Tibet Reporters" (FTR) that has been
filming and supporting SFT protest activities in Beijing. The
PSB is handling this group differently than other pro-Tibet
protesters; while SFT protesters to date have all been
deported within 24 hours of their detention, all six FTR
members remain in police custody two days after being picked
up by the PSB. Persistent calls by ACS to the PSB on
08/21/2008 revealed that the PSB plans to keep this group in
administrative detention for 14 days. ACS continues to press
the PSB to provide consular access to the six on 08/22/2008.

11. (SBU)
Five Americans Deported: On 08/20/2008, the Beijing PSB
informed ACS that the five U.S. citizen protesters who
unfurled a blue LED "Free Tibet" banner on 08/19/2008 (ref. c)
had been deported to the United States via an Air China flight
at 1300 hours local time on 08/20/2008. According to a PSB
source, Americans detained for pro-Tibet protests are not held
in regular detention centers and are instead taken to
out-of-the-way locations such as a hotel or work unit until
they are deported via commercial aircraft.

SECURITY OPERATIONS 
-------------------

12. (SBU)
Update on FLO Security Efforts:
As high-profile U.S. Olympic teams move into medal
competition, the focus of the USG Field Liaison Officers (FLO)
stationed at Olympic venues throughout Beijing has
increasingly turned to crowd and access control coordination
with Chinese security personnel. In upcoming days, the U.S.
Women´s Soccer, the Men´s and Women´s Basketball, the Men´s
and Women´s Water Polo, the Women´s Softball, the Women´s
Indoor Volleyball, and the Men´s and Women´s Beach Volleyball
teams are scheduled to compete in gold medal rounds; the
majority of these teams have attracted large crowds of fans
during movements to and from the Olympic venues and, in the
case of Men´s Basketball, individuals without proper
credentials have been allowed into secure team areas on at
least two occasions (ref. b). FLO coverage is being adjusted
to ensure maximum security support for these teams. In
addition, the OSC will meet with Chinese Ministry of Public
Security (MPS) officials on 08/22/2008 to again emphasize the
importance of a robust police presence for crowd and access
control measures during gold medal competitions.

13. (SBU)
Equestrian Teams Begin Departure:
According to the Regional Security Officer (RSO) in Hong Kong,
as of 08/21/2008, U.S. Olympic Equestrian team members and
horses have begun departing from Hong Kong. The remaining
riders are scheduled to depart on 08/23/2008 and 08/26/2008,
following the final day of competition on 08/21/2008.

14. (SBU)
Peak Travel Days at BCIA: According to the Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) representative assigned to the
JOC, 08/25/2008 and 08/26/2008 will be peak travel days in
terms of departures at Beijing Capital International Airport
(BCIA). TSA noted that the surge of Olympic departures will
correspond to the beginning of arrivals for the Paralympics
and will likely put a strain on airport services. The
Paralympic Games are scheduled to begin on 09/06/2008.

15. (SBU)
Arrival of Vancouver OSC:
Diplomatic Security´s OSC for the Vancouver 2010 Winter
Olympic Games arrived in Beijing on 08/20/2008; he is
coordinating with the Beijing OSC to review JOC and FLO
operations in light of similar efforts planned for the
Vancouver Games.

VIPS 
---- 

16. (U)
Departure of Swimming Sensation: The USOC confirmed that
Michael Phelps--the U.S. swimmer who won 8 gold medals in
Olympic competition--departed Beijing early on 08/21/2008.
According to the USOC, Phelps is traveling to London prior to
returning to the United States.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS/PUBLIC DIPLOMACY 
-------------------------------

17. (U)
Cultural Outreach: The U.S. Embassy´s Public Affairs Section
(PAS) organized musical performances by two American bands as
part of the effort to promote American culture during the
Olympics. The first group, Sugar Mama and the Cotton Band,
performed on 08/20/2008 at the U.S. Ambassador´s residence for
a group of business leaders, current and former Olympians, and
other guests. On 08/21/2008, Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow
Trio--a well-known band with ties to China--held two
performances in Beijing. The first performance at the American
Center for Educational Exchange was for an audience of Chinese
students from universities throughout Beijing, as well as
officials from the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, China Academy of Social Sciences and the Foreign
Affairs Association. The second performance, held at the
USOC´s USA House, was for U.S. athletes and their invited
guests. Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Trio are representing
the United States in the Cultural Olympiad, the official
cultural program of the Olympics.

CONSULAR AFFAIRS 
---------------- 

18. (SBU)
American Released on Bail:
The U.S. citizen involved in an altercation with a taxi driver
08/13/2008 (ref. c) was released on bail on 08/20/2008.
According to the Beijing PSB, if his family can reach a
financial settlement with the taxi driver, charges against the
American could be dropped.

19. (U)
Chinese Tour Guide Released from Hospital:
On 08/20/2008, China´s state-run press agency, Xinhua,
reported that the Chinese tour guide injured in the 08/09/2008
attack against U.S. citizens at Beijing´s Drum Tower was
released from Sino-Japanese Hospital on 08/18/2008. Beijing
Municipal Health Director Deng Xiaohong stated that the woman
received chest wounds in the attack but that she had fully
recovered; he also dismissed recent press reports that the
tour guide had died on 08/12/2008 (ref. c).

POLITICAL AFFAIRS 
----------------- 

20. (U)
Human Rights:
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown will raise human rights issues
when he meets with senior Chinese leaders during his visit to
Beijing for the Olympics Closing Ceremony, according to a
letter released by Brown´s office.

21. (U)
MFA Press Conference:
During a regularly scheduled press conference on 08/20/2008,
Chinese MFA spokesman Qin Gang said all protests require
approval of the Public Security Bureau. However, pro-Tibet
independence activities will not be welcomQ by the Chinese
people. Qin claimed to have no information on reports that two
elderly women were sentenced to reeducation through labor
following repeated applications to protest. (Please see
Beijing 3208, dated August 20, for more details)

22. (U)
Dutch Radio Station Evades Censors:
The Dutch commercial broadcaster Radio 538 on 08/19/2008
continued to defy both the Chinese censors and the
International Olympic Committee (IOC) by broadcasting live
from Beijing during the Olympic Games, according to a Dutch
radio report. Officially, the only Dutch broadcaster
registered to broadcast from Beijing during the Olympics is
public broadcaster NOS. Unlike officially registered
broadcasters, Radio 538 is not required to send its feed
through the Olympics Broadcast Center, where Chinese
authorities could theoretically censor its output. Instead,
Radio 538 is using a complex system of integrated service
digital networks (ISDN) telephone lines to transmit its
broadcasts out of Beijing and to foil authorities´ attempts to
block its transmissions. Radio 538´s connection with its
Beijing studio has been down for only 20 minutes on one day
since the beginning of the Olympics, according to the Dutch
radio report.

RANDT