DELEGATION TO GO TO BEIJING REGARDING CHINESE EMBASSY BELGRADE BOMBING

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0001081818
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: June 22, 2015
• Document Release Date: September 17, 2009
• Case Number: F-2000-00007
• Publication Date: June 2, 1999

MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
DAC 99-03349
2 June 1999
SUBJECT: Li Delegation to go to Beijing Regarding
Chinese Embassy Belgrade Bombing
1. On 2 June at the request of the DDCI, I attended a
meeting c aired by Assistant Secretary of State Stan Roth
regarding the above subject. Roth stated that the meeting was an
outgrowth of a 1 June Principals Committee meeting and that the
tasking involved making recommendations for a "rollout strategy"
to present the results of the US investigation into the bombing
of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade. He noted that "how, when,
the level of representation and the content of the explanation
all matter." He then tabled an agenda to cover who should lead
the delegation; who should support (i.e. who else should go);
what conditions should be imposed; should we offer only a
briefing or also provide a written report; what should be done
regarding an open hearing now scheduled by HPSCI for 10 June;
whether or not to use military air transportation; and whether or
not to offer compensation to the Chinese.
2. Who. It is Roth's view that the head of the
delegati ould be below Cabinet rank but be a high ranking
official who would go as special envoy from the President. All
agreed that Under Secretary of State Pickering was the correct
choice.
The group believes this
concern could be a resse y nego iating beforehand who would
receive Pickering and by extracting agreement that the delegation
would be treated well. There were no volunteers from DoD or the
IC to accompany Pickering.
When asked if
Executive Director
strong preference -
APPROVED FOR
RELEASE^DATE:
15-Jul-2009
 SUBJECT: Ll Delegation to go to the Beijing regarding
Chinese Embassy Belgrade Bombing
3. L__] The Trip. There was a good deal of discussion
about what Pickering would do in China. It was thought that two
briefings would be required: one for the political leadership and
one for the military. The issue of whether or not Pickering
should discuss broader issues was debated, some seeing this as
diluting the impact of the trip, others seeing it as advisable.
There was a view that Ken Lieberthal (Special Assistant to the
President and Senior Director for Asian Affairs on the National
Security Council Staff) and Susan Shirk (Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs) would stay
for an additional day to discuss those "other issues."
4. L__] Some discussions of timing and transport ensued,
with 15 June the most likely day for the Pickering meetings.
Whether or not to use military aircraft from Washington, from
Japan or not at all seemed to be hinged on the amount of
preparatory time Pickering would have prior to the trip. The
symbolism of a dedicated aircraft was discounted.
5. L_] Congressional Hearing. There was full agreement
that an open HPSCI hearing should be rescheduled to occur after
or simultaneous with - Pickering's meetings with the Chinese.
6. Compensation. There was full agreement that
Pickering should offer compensation for the families of those
killed or injured but not offer compensation for property damage.
7. Accountability. Part of the group believes that
the process y which accountability is decided should be
discussed with the Chinese; others believed this issue should not
be addressed.
8. L__] Next Steps. Roth, with Lieberthal, will prepare a
report of the areas of agreement and disagreement for the
Principal Committee members.
 SUBJECT: u Delegation to go to the Beijing regarding
Chinese Embassy Belgrade Bombing
1 - DC I
1 - DDCI
1 - DDI
1 - ADDI
1 - DDO
1 - ADDO
1 - C/EA
1 - APLA
1 - EXDIF2
1 - DAC
0