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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, January 06, 2004

China rejects anti-India rebels' request for shelter

A striking piece of news hit the headline of major Indian newspapers on December 29, 2003, saying Arabinda Rajkhowa, chief of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa), a splittist organization which was fleeting a military crackdown by India's neighbor Bhutan, wrote a letter to Chinese state leader calling for help.


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China rejects anti-India rebels' request for shelter (3)
A striking piece of news hit the headline of major Indian newspapers on December 29, 2003, saying Arabinda Rajkhowa, chief of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa), a splittist organization which was fleeting a military crackdown by India's neighbor Bhutan, wrote a letter to Chinese state leader calling for help. The rebel head asked the Chinese government to give his men a way out and provide them shelter by allowing them to enter Chinese territory. The letter roused wide concern from Indian media and people at a critical moment when the rebels were jointly haunted by Indian and Bhutani armies.

A mysterious letter calling for help
An Indian magazine recently carried the full text of the letter. "We have come under massive military attack by joint forces of India and Bhutan and our combatants are forced to retreat up to the Sino-Bhutan border due to the all out air and artillery campaigns", Rajkhowa said in his letter addressed to the chairman of the People's Republic of China.

"We would like to request you and your people to permit them safe passage to your territory and minimum temporary hospitality necessary for their survival", the letter ended in a humble tone.

Indian media revealed that the letter was written on December 22, and had been sent to China via fax on 25.


China rejects anti-India rebels' request for shelter
China rejects sanctuary, assures India
As reporter gathered from many sides, the Chinese government didn't receive the letter at all. This was confirmed when an Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman told media that the Chinese side had informed India that it didn't receive the letter.

On December 31, 2003, Yang Shuying, spokesperson of the Chinese embassy to India, told Indian media that Beijing would not "allow its territory to be used by anybody for activities against other countries".

"We believe that Chinese frontier forces are capable of safeguarding the security and stability of our border areas. We will closely monitor the development of the situation in this regard", Yang said.

On the New Year's Day, India's biggest newspaper "The Times of India" carried on its first page an article entitled "China rules out sanctuary for rebels". On the same day, Indian FM spokesman told that the Indian government has conveyed, through the Chinese embassy in India, its high concern over the matter, and the Chinese government stated it would attach great importance to its current friendly and cooperative relations with India, and will not interfere with internal affairs of other countries.

Article from Global Times, by reporter Qian Feng, translated by PD Online staff member Li Heng.


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