AFM LI HUI PREVIEWS SCO SUMMIT, COMMENTS ON U.S.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BEIJING 011932 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PTER PINL ASEC CH KG KZ SUBJECT: AFM LI HUI PREVIEWS SCO SUMMIT, COMMENTS ON U.S. SECURITY ALERT BEIJING 00011932 001.2 OF 003 Summary -------------- ¶1. The Chinese Government is currently investigating reports received from the U.S. Embassy on increased risks to U.S. citizens in China and will do its utmost to safeguard diplomatic personnel and facilities, MFA Spokesperson Liu Jianchao stated during a special June 12 press briefing on the June 15 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit. AFM Li emphasized that remarks made at the Summit by Iranian President Ahmadinejad should be seen as reflecting Iran's position and not the position of the SCO. Regarding the 2005 Astana Declaration's "relevant provisions" on Coalition Forces stationed in the region, AFM Li remarked that China respects the relevant countries' decisions on the issue. Kyrgyzstan will handle current discussions with Coalition Forces according to Bishkek's needs, interests, as well as SCO obligations, AFM Li said. SCO members hope to regularize joint counterterrorism exercises, which are crucial for combating the "Three Evil Forces" (terrorism, separatism and extremism) and maintaining regional security. The SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group will focus largely on counter-narcotics cooperation. End Summary. ¶2. Assistant Foreign Minister Li Hui previewed the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit to be held in Shanghai on June 15 at a specially scheduled June 12 MFA press briefing. He noted that the heads of state of all SCO members, observers Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan, as well as Indian Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Deora, Afghan President Karzai, CIS Executive Committee Chairman Rushaylo and ASEAN Deputy Secretary General Villacorta will attend the event. SIPDIS Heads of state will review the SCO's development, discuss international and regional issues and sign a joint declaration, which represents a conclusive political document of the Summit proceedings. SCO leaders will also hold bilateral meetings. Officials from various departments will sign a large number of agreements in security, economic and education and other fields. In addition, the Summit will feature the inauguration of the SCO industrialists' committee and business forum, AFM Li reported. Ahmadinejad's Remarks only Represent Iran's Position -------------- -------------- 
 ¶3. Several foreign correspondents asked about Iranian President Ahmadinejad's participation in the Summit and particularly whether China fears that the Iran nuclear issue will overshadow the event. AFM Li stated that there have been no discussions of the nuclear issue within the SCO framework. China will make arrangements for Iran's participation in accordance with relevant SCO regulations on the role of observers. AFM Li noted that Iran joined two previous SCO events in 2005, including the Astana Summit and Moscow Premiers' Meeting. China welcomes Iran's participation this year. President Ahmadinejad will participate in the Summit's major activities and will deliver remarks, as will the members and other observers. While it is not certain what he will say, Ahmadinejad's remarks will only represent Iran's position, AFM Li affirmed. Coalition Forces -------------- ¶4. Asked whether the deployment of U.S. troops in Central Asia will be discussed during the Summit, AFM Li maintained that the SCO's core objectives are to promote economic development and safeguard regional security. Noting the Astana Declaration's "relevant provisions" on Coalition forces stationed in the region, AFM Li observed that some of the conditions that led to the deployment of Coalition Forces in relevant countries are in the process of "being resolved." China respects the relevant countries' decisions on the issue, he said. The Summit agenda will mainly focus on summarizing the experiences of the past five years and charting a course for the SCO's future development. BEIJING 00011932 002.2 OF 003 ¶5. Questioned by the AP correspondent as to whether Kyrgyzstan is facing pressure from other SCO members over allowing Coalition Forces to maintain military facilities, AFM Li stated that Coalition Forces and certain host countries are now discussing the Coalition's military presence. Kyrgyzstan will handle such issues according to Bishkek's needs, interests, as well as SCO obligations, AFM Li asserted. Chinese Investigating U.S. Embassy Security Concerns -------------- -------------- ¶6. Citing the June 9 U.S. Embassy Warden Message warning of an increased risk to American interests in China, one foreign correspondent asked if China or any other SCO members had recently experienced a heightened terrorist threat. AFM Li asserted that all SCO members have suffered from terrorist attacks and are confronted by the "Three Evil Forces" (terrorism, separatism and extremism). All members are resolved to jointly cobating terrorism. MFA Spokesperson Liu Jianchao, also present at the press conference, added that U.S. Embassy officials have briefed the Chinese Government regarding these concerns. Chinese authorities are currently investigating these reports and will do their utmost to safeguard diplomatic personnel and facilities, Liu affirmed. Military Cooperation Aimed at Regional Security -------------- -- ¶7. Asked about the SCO's vision for future military cooperation, AFM Li noted that while SCO countries have held many counterterrorism exercises, the SCO does not target any third party and is not a military alliance. The only aim of continued military cooperation is to safeguard regional peace and stability and strengthen defense cooperation in Central Asia, particularly in member countries. AFM Li explained that security cooperation comprises joint counterterrorism exercises, the formation of a legal foundation for security cooperation and the implementation of security agreements. SCO members hope to regularize joint counterterrorism exercises, which are crucial for combating the "Three Evil Forces" and maintaining regional security. AFM Li predicted that the SCO will conduct regular joint exercises, such as the one held in March 2006, in the future. SCO-Afghan Contact Group to Focus on Counter-Narcotics -------------- -------------- ¶8. Questioned by the Reuters correspondent on why the SCO has seemingly not achieved greater progress in counter-narcotics, AFM Li noted that the 2004 Tashkent Summit featured the signing of an anti-narcotics cooperation agreement. SCO members are all victims of drug-related crimes and all place tremendous importance on counter-narcotics cooperation. Afghanistan is the main source of illicit drugs in the region, AFM Li asserted. The SCO is ready to help establish a counter-narcotics "belt" around Afghanistan and work with the international community to fight drug trafficking in Afghanistan, he stated. AFM Li stated that the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group will focus largely on counter-narcotics coordination. Entrepreneurs to Hold Energy Discussions -------------- ¶9. Asked if Indian Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Deora's attendance signals that energy will be a major topic at the Summit, AFM Li noted that during the Summit entrepreneurs will hold a business forum to discuss economic and energy cooperation issues. Great Interest in SCO Membership and Observer Status -------------- -------------- ¶10. Many correspondents inquired about SCO plans for admitting new members and observers, with one reporter asking if the United States has applied for observer status. AFM Li stated that many countries, including BEIJING 00011932 003.2 OF 003 some in Asia and other continents, have applied for membership or observer status. Growing interest in the SCO demonstrates that the SCO is expanding its influence and strengthening its role. Asked by the UPI correspondent how the SCO can claim to be a transparent organization while declining to disclose information on its applicants, AFM Li argued that while the SCO remains transparent, it cannot violate its own procedures by releasing the names of applicants who have asked not be publicly identified. The SCO is now examining applications for observer status. While there is also interest in new membership, the SCO has not yet formulated a legal document that outlines the qualifications for additional members. This work ought to be completed as soon as possible, he remarked. AFM Li also noted that the SCO has signed MOUs with CIS, ASEAN and the EEC and will continue to explore ways to strengthen cooperation with these international organizations. ¶11. Stressing that the SCO is a transparent organization, AFM Li stated that the SCO has briefed affiliated international organizations on its actions and plans. Liu Jianchao indicated that journalists will be permitted to attend a number of Summit activities. AFM Li noted that according to the Russian alphabet, Kazakhstan is next on the rotation to hold the SCO Secretary General position. The Secretary General's term is three years. SIPDIS RANDT