Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BEIJING10104
2006-05-24 10:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

PRC/UN: MFA BRIEFS ON UNSYG ANNAN VISIT

Tags:  PREL EAID PGOV UN CH 
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VZCZCXRO5618
OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHROV
DE RUEHBJ #0104/01 1441050
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 241050Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6437
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE
RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
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
-------

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