Telegram from the Romanian Embassy in Beijing to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 05:45 am

04 June 1989, 05:45 am

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

Following our previous telegrams, we would like to continue informing you on the events taking place in the city of Beijing. 25,000 soldiers arrived in the Tiananmen Square, during the first hours of the morning. [They] demolished all the improvised structures [in the square] (tents, barracks, statues, school flag poles and posters) and evacuated all the students and other protestors. At this time Tiananmen Square is cleared of students and in the process of being cleaned up. Helicopters are being used to direct the military convoys towards other clusters of protestors. The army is taking control of the activity of the city. The governor of Beijing is issuing—through the radio—repeated appeals to the population not to leave their homes. Aside from the dead and wounded that we have already informed about (there is information that there are over 100 dead) there were declarations regarding dead and wounded on the side of the armed forces. Furthermore, there is information that protestors kidnapped some soldiers.

The army used tear-gas, flash grenades [petarde] and flame-throwers. Hospitals in Beijing are taking action for gathering of the wounded and dead and [are making] arrangements for their transportation to especially established [triage] centers. There is an apparent haste of the government to resolve the situation fast, [if possible] today, [in an attempt to] normalize the activity that will begin tomorrow in institutions and factories. We will continue to follow the events and inform you.

(ss) [Ambassador] Angelo Miculescu