Telegram from Romanian Embassy in Beijing to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 03:15 am

04 June 1989, 03:15 am

Foreign Affairs Minister Cde. Ioan Totu,
Eyes Only (personal)

We would like to inform you that, in the second half of the night, the situation on Beijing has become more [unusual – Romanian word in brackets].

Paratroopers have begun to assault all major centers in the city, especially Tiananmen. This time, tanks and armored trucks opened the way for the convoys of trucks carrying soldiers. The numbers of incoming military personnel is substantial, [the government] ordering an army of approximately 200,000 soldiers to converge on Beijing. Thus, by pushing them aside, all barricades found on the boulevards in the city's center were cleared. Groups of people tried to prevent the assault [but failed when] tear-gas and shots were fired. After a short resistance, they were routed, but, from surrounding buildings and walls, they begun attacking [the armed forces] with bricks, homemade bombs and bottles filled with incendiary liquids. Due to the [developing] situation, the army was forced to open fire [on the population]. There are rumors that there are already 20–30 deaths and a few hundred wounded. There were announcements on the radio and through loudspeakers that the population should remain inside. It was also announced that the army was ordered to use any means necessary to accomplish their mission.

We would like to inform that armored vehicles and tanks are constantly on the move through the city. [Their mission] is to guard important intersections in the city and oversee [the security] of state institutions as well as other points of strategic importance.

Automatic fire can be heard frequently. It seems that this time the decision to liquidate the resistance of the anti-governmental movement is implemented with more conviction. The desire to re-introduce order in daily activity [is apparent]. We will continue to follow the situation and to inform you.


(ss) [Ambassador] Angelo Miculescu