PRC/UN: MFA BRIEFS ON UNSYG ANNAN VISIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 010104 SIPDIS SIPDIS USUN FOR PHEE; DEPARTMENT FOR EAP, EAP/CM, IO/UNP E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/24/2016 TAGS: PREL EAID PGOV UN CH SUBJECT: PRC/UN: MFA BRIEFS ON UNSYG ANNAN VISIT Classified By: Political External Unit Chief Edgard Kagan. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) UN SYG Annan asked President Hu Jintao what opinions or advice the UN can offer to help break the current Six-Party Talks impasse, MFA International Organizations Department Officer Guo Xuejun told Poloff on May 23. Hu said China continues to work with the other Partiesto resume the Six-Party Talks at an early date. Hu told Annan that the Iran situation is "severe" but there is still room for diplomacy. On Darfur, Annan underscored security concerns while Tang lauded the peace agreement and said China has no problem in principle with AMIS transitioning to a UN peacekeeping operation provided the Government of Sudan approves. On Syria/Lebanon, Annan expressed concern about regional stability while Tang said China supports the IIIC investigation but that solving Lebanon/Syria issues will require patience. Tang said Beijing is open to an international conference or new UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution on Iraq. Hu said China hopes that UN budget issues will be resolved through consultation, but contributions must be based on "capacity to pay." Tang said China has "no problem" with Liberia and Burundi as the first two countries for the Peacebuilding Commission to focus on. End Summary. ¶2. (C) UN SYG Annan discussed the Six-Party Talks, Iran, Iraq, Darfur, Syria/Lebanon and China-UN relations, including UN management and budget reform, in separate, substantive meetings with President Hu Jintao and State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan during Annan's May 19-23 visit to China, Guo said. Annan's brief courtesy call on Premier Wen Jiabao did not cover substantive topics, Guo added. Annan Raises Six-Party Talks -------------- ¶3. (C) Guo said UNSYG Annan asked President Hu for China's views on the Six-Party Talks and questioned what opinions or advice the UN can offer to help break the current impasse. Annan said press reports indicate the United States is contemplating seeking peace talks with the DPRK separate from the nuclear issue and said that, if true, this would be positive. Hu said China seeks the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. China will safeguard the nuclear non- proliferation treaty (NPT) and seeks to maintain peace and stability in the region. China thinks the North Korean nuclear issue should be resolved through negotiation and peaceful means. The fourth round of the Six-Party Talks achieved the joint declaration. China continues to work with the other members of the Six-Party Talks in efforts to resume the Six-Party Talks at an early date, President Hu said. Separately, Tang thanked the SYG for supporting the Six-Party Talk process and said China would inform him of any developments, according to Guo. Iran Nuclear Issue -------------- ¶4. (C) Guo said SYG Annan stressed the importance of the EU-3 and Iran negotiating in the spirit of openness and compromise. Annan advised Iran not to refuse the EU-3 package before careful study and analysis, but Iran did not follow the advice. Annan said the EU-3 should think creatively about its package. The international community should encourage Iran to cooperate with the IAEA, but also take steps to demonstrate to Iran that the international community is not against Iran's right to the peaceful use of nuclear technology. Iran should end its confrontation with the international community. Iran must adhere to its NPT obligations and IAEA guidelines. The UN Security Council should support the IAEA in preventing nuclear proliferation. The Iran nuclear issue could have serious adverse effects on the Middle East. Sanctions likely will be ineffective due to the high price of oil. The United States and Iran should communicate directly, although the United States is reluctant to pursue that course, Annan said. ¶5. (C) President Hu responded that the situation is BEIJING 00010104 002 OF 003 "severe" but there is still room for diplomacy, Guo said. The key is to find a viable and acceptable solution for all. Sanctions are not conducive to solving the crisis and would complicate the current situation. China encourages the EU-3 to be more creative and will encourage Iran to adopt a cool and positive attitude toward the EU-3 package. All sides should exercise restraint and refrain from actions that will cause the current situation to deteriorate, President Hu added, according Guo. Darfur: Sudan Government Must Agree -------------- ¶6. (C) According to Guo, State Councilor Tang told Annan that the PRC has no problem in principle with AMIS transitioning to a UN peacekeeping operation (PKO),but that the Government of Sudan (GOS) must approve the transition. Tang said all sides should treasure and safeguard the May 5 Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA),which was difficult to achieve. The international community should encourage the holdouts to sign the agreement and work for its implementation, Tang added. UNSYG Annan told Tang he is concerned about security in Darfur. UN envoys are in Sudan to support an AMIS-UN PKO transition. The UNSYG is working on securing GOS cooperation. Annan said he hopes the GOS will adopt a constructive attitude toward the transition, Guo noted. In response to Poloff's question, Guo said the topic of potential Chinese troop contributions or aid to Darfur did not arise. Syria/Lebanon -------------- ¶7. (C) UNSYG Annan raised concerns about the Middle East, Guo said. Annan stated that the international community has the responsibility to help the Lebanese determine their own future and ensure regional stability. The prospect of an international tribunal pursuant to the IIIC investigation may cause internal tensions in Syria. Annan is concerned of the adverse effects on countries in the region if instability escalates. Tang said the relationship between Syria and Lebanon is complex, involving the demarcation of boundaries and a host of other issues. Time and patience will be required to resolve these matters. The UNSC should respect Lebanon's sovereignty and independence. China supports the work of the IIIC and hopes the truth will emerge at an early date. Tang told Annan that China encourages Syrian cooperation with the IIIC, which also must exercise its mandate in the spirit of justice, balance and openness, Guo said. Iraq -------------- ¶8. (C) Kofi Annan said some countries are calling for an international conference or a new UNSC resolution on Iraq. Tang said the way forward for Iraq is for the Iraqi people to govern themselves. Iraqis must strengthen dialogue between various ethnic, religious and political groups. Tang told Annan that China supports the UN playing a better role in Iraq and is open to the idea of an international conference and/or a new UNSC resolution, Guo said. Afghanistan/SCO -------------- ¶8. (C) Annan thanked China for its support for peace and rebuilding in Afghanistan, according to Guo. Tang said the international community should encourage the implementation of the agreement reached at the London conference. Afghanistan will be an observer at the SCO summit, Tang noted, according to Guo. Concerns About UN Reform -------------- ¶10. (C) Guo said Annan raised UN reform in his meetings with both Hu and Tang and the discussions were substantively similar. Annan expressed concern that the UN budget will become an issue in June. Both Hu and Tang said China will contribute based on the current scale of assessments. China believes contributions must continue to be determined on the "capacity to pay" principle. China does not support BEIJING 00010104 003 OF 003 "purchasing power parity" or oter similar proposals. China hopes consultatons among UN member states will roduce a way forward and hope the SYG will facilitate dialogue, Hu and Tang said. Annan said that he hopes the budget issue can be resolved and not develop into a confrontation, according to Guo. ¶11. (C) Guo said Annan noted UN reform had produced the Peacebuilding Commission and the Human Rights Council. Tang said China is satisfied with the selection of the Peacebuilding Commission's standing organizational committee. Tang said China has "no problem" with Liberia and Burundi as the first two countries for the Peacebuilding Commission to focus on, Guo noted. UN Role In International Affairs -------------- ¶12. (C) Guo said President Hu lauded the UN's role in world affairs. Hu said member states must find ways to implement the outcomes of the 2005 UN summit, including working toward common development, international cooperation and world peace. Creating an enabling international environment for development should be a UN priority, Hu said. Annan responded that he hopes China can play a larger role in UN affairs, while agreeing that the UN should prioritize international development. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) should be implemented. The MDGs comport with China's own goals of creating a prosperous and harmonious society. China should especially help with Africa's development, Annan added. President Hu noted China supports and cooperates with the UN. China respects the UN Charter and will uphold its responsibilities. China continues to participate in UN activities with a positive attitude. China also supports the UN and the UN SYG playing a more important role in international issues, Hu said, according to Guo. RANDT