Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BEIJING10599
2006-05-30 10:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:
PRC/IRAQ: BEIJING ON WELCOMING NEW IRAQI GOVERNMENT
how-toVZCZCXRO1054 OO RUEHBC RUEHCN RUEHDE RUEHGH RUEHIHL RUEHKUK RUEHMOS DE RUEHBJ #0599 1501058 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 301058Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6969 INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 010599
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2016
TAGS: PREL EAID IZ CH
SUBJECT: PRC/IRAQ: BEIJING ON WELCOMING NEW IRAQI GOVERNMENT
REF: A. BEIJING 9758
B. STATE 81632
Classified By: Political External Unit Chief Edgard Kagan. Reasons 1.4
(b/d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 010599
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2016
TAGS: PREL EAID IZ CH
SUBJECT: PRC/IRAQ: BEIJING ON WELCOMING NEW IRAQI GOVERNMENT
REF: A. BEIJING 9758
B. STATE 81632
Classified By: Political External Unit Chief Edgard Kagan. Reasons 1.4
(b/d)
1. (C) MFA West Asia and North African Affairs Department
Iraq Desk Officer Wu Xiaofeng requested a meeting May 26 to
provide nonpaper laying out PRC actions to welcome the
formation of the new Iraqi Government. Though the nonpaper
largely tracks with PRC public statements, Wu stressed that
Beijing was providing it directly to the USG in to follow up
on earlier commitments (ref A). In response to a question,
Wu said the item about debt reduction refers to all Iraqi
debt held by the PRC, including what is owed to state-owned
enterprises. He said that the Beijing wants to negotiate the
exact details with the Iraqi Government. Referring to
reports that China is tying forgiveness of state-owned
enterprise debt to Baghdad agreeing to implement Saddam-era
deals with Chinese firms, Wu commented that the PRC is
prepared to be more generous in return for greater market
access for Chinese firms.
2. (SBU) Begin informal translation of the text of the PRC
non-paper:
1) China has a positive attitude toward developing relations
with the new Iraqi Government.
2) China has already publicly welcomed the establishment of
the new Iraqi Government. President Hu Jintao, National
People's Congress Standing Committee President Wu Bangguo,
Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing have all
sent telegrams congratulating their new Iraqi counterparts.
3) China has a positive attitude towards the mutual exchange
of high-level visits between Iraq and China. China has
invited the new Iraqi Foreign Minister to attend the second
ministerial meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum and
to sign a memorandum of understanding on political
consultations between China and Iraq as the first step to
improve cooperation. Unfortunately, the Iraqi Foreign
Minister was unable to travel due to other concerns.
4) China has consistently supported Iraqi reconstruction.
China will provide large-scale debt relief to Iraq. China
has provided training for Iraqi officials in the fields of
economic management, the petroleum industry, diplomacy and
the electric power industry. China has also provided
material assistance for Iraqi elections as well as inspection
equipment for Iraqi Customs. China will continue to make all
possible efforts to assist Iraq's reconstruction and to
improve trade cooperation with Iraq.
End text of non-paper.
RANDT
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2016
TAGS: PREL EAID IZ CH
SUBJECT: PRC/IRAQ: BEIJING ON WELCOMING NEW IRAQI GOVERNMENT
REF: A. BEIJING 9758
B. STATE 81632
Classified By: Political External Unit Chief Edgard Kagan. Reasons 1.4
(b/d)
1. (C) MFA West Asia and North African Affairs Department
Iraq Desk Officer Wu Xiaofeng requested a meeting May 26 to
provide nonpaper laying out PRC actions to welcome the
formation of the new Iraqi Government. Though the nonpaper
largely tracks with PRC public statements, Wu stressed that
Beijing was providing it directly to the USG in to follow up
on earlier commitments (ref A). In response to a question,
Wu said the item about debt reduction refers to all Iraqi
debt held by the PRC, including what is owed to state-owned
enterprises. He said that the Beijing wants to negotiate the
exact details with the Iraqi Government. Referring to
reports that China is tying forgiveness of state-owned
enterprise debt to Baghdad agreeing to implement Saddam-era
deals with Chinese firms, Wu commented that the PRC is
prepared to be more generous in return for greater market
access for Chinese firms.
2. (SBU) Begin informal translation of the text of the PRC
non-paper:
1) China has a positive attitude toward developing relations
with the new Iraqi Government.
2) China has already publicly welcomed the establishment of
the new Iraqi Government. President Hu Jintao, National
People's Congress Standing Committee President Wu Bangguo,
Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing have all
sent telegrams congratulating their new Iraqi counterparts.
3) China has a positive attitude towards the mutual exchange
of high-level visits between Iraq and China. China has
invited the new Iraqi Foreign Minister to attend the second
ministerial meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum and
to sign a memorandum of understanding on political
consultations between China and Iraq as the first step to
improve cooperation. Unfortunately, the Iraqi Foreign
Minister was unable to travel due to other concerns.
4) China has consistently supported Iraqi reconstruction.
China will provide large-scale debt relief to Iraq. China
has provided training for Iraqi officials in the fields of
economic management, the petroleum industry, diplomacy and
the electric power industry. China has also provided
material assistance for Iraqi elections as well as inspection
equipment for Iraqi Customs. China will continue to make all
possible efforts to assist Iraq's reconstruction and to
improve trade cooperation with Iraq.
End text of non-paper.
RANDT