Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BEIJING12532
2006-06-15 13:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

PRC OPPOSES UNSC TAKING UP BURMA ISSUE

Tags:  PREL PHUM UNSC CH BM 
pdf how-to read a cable
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ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 151315Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9148
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS COLLECTIVE
RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 4368
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1377
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 012532 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR IO/UNP WICKBERG AND EAP/MLS BARRASSO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2021
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC CH BM
SUBJECT: PRC OPPOSES UNSC TAKING UP BURMA ISSUE

REF: A. STATE 88973


B. BEIJING 11177

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission David Sedney. Reasons 1.4 (b/d)
.

SUMMARY
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 012532

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR IO/UNP WICKBERG AND EAP/MLS BARRASSO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2021
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC CH BM
SUBJECT: PRC OPPOSES UNSC TAKING UP BURMA ISSUE

REF: A. STATE 88973


B. BEIJING 11177

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission David Sedney. Reasons 1.4 (b/d)
.

SUMMARY
--------------

1. (C) China firmly opposes UNSC involvement in Burma and
has serious concerns about the proposed U.S. resolution, MFA
International Organizations Department Director General Wu
Hailong told the DCM on June 15. ASEAN nations, except for
Singapore, share China's opposition to the U.S. initiative,
he added. Instead of getting the UNSC to use human rights as
an excuse to interfere in Burma, the U.S. should recognize
that U/SYG Gambari's visit and the reaching of "consensus"
with him are positive signs that the Burmese regime wants to
move forward. Wu urged U.S. to take China's very firm
position into account, but offered "quiet" bilateral
discussions. The DCM expressed disappointment with China's
position, pointing out the deteriorating situation in Burma
and the effects on the region. The DCM reiterated that the
resolution would not call for sanctions and would not include
Chapter 7 provisions. Separately, a Singapore Embassy
officer told poloff that the MFA called in all of the ASEAN
countries for separate meetings on this same issue. The MFA
Asian Affairs Deputy Director General told our Singaporean
contact that China specifically opposes resolution language
that calls Burma a threat and would require periodic UNSC
review and dialogue on Burma's situation. End Summary.


2. (C) MFA International Organizations Department Director
General Wu Hailong called in the DCM on June 15 to say China
seriously opposes UNSC involvement in the Burma issue. China
is disappointed that the United States is pushing the UNSC to
get involved in Burma and has serious concerns with the
proposed U.S. resolution. Burma's problems are its own
internal affair and therefore the UNSC has no role. China
does not see Burma as a threat to the region. The majority
of ASEANs share this view, with only Singapore supporting the
U.S. initiative. Although some countries are disappointed
with the extension of Aung San Suu Kyi's detention and the

United States calls her plight a human rights issue, every
country has human rights problems and these should not be
used as excuses for the UNSC to interfere lest it risk
undermining its own authority and legality. Instead, the
international community should sit down with Burma's leaders,
engage in dialogue and provide assistance to Burma in a
constructive manner rather than exert pressure, which could
lead to the opposite of the positive change being sought, Wu
claimed.


3. (C) It is necessary to look at Burma's situation in a
comprehensive and objective manner and pay more attention to
the possibility of positive change, Wu continued. MFA
International Organization Department Deputy Division
Director Yao Shaojun called the acceptance of U/SGY Gambari's
visit and the reaching of "consensus" with U/SGY Gambari on
many issues positive signs that the Burmese regime "wants to
get certain things done." Admitting that the extension of
ASSK's detention was not a move in the right direction, Yao
added that it is just one issue and the overall situation is
more positive. Pointing out that it has only been three
weeks since U/SGY Gambari's visit to Burma, Wu said it is
important for Burma to have the room and time to adjust and
take action to implement the "consensus" U/SGY Gambari
reached with the Burmese government.


4. (C) Wu urged the United States to take into account
China's concerns as the Burmese issue affects major PRC
interests in the region. The United States and China
cooperate in many areas and Beijing does not want to see the
two countries take opposing positions on issues. It is not
in the interest of the United States or the international
community for the UNSC to get involved in Burma, Wu claimed.


5. (C) China hopes this divergence of views with the United
States can be solved bilaterally rather than being brought
out into the public. Wu suggested quiet bilateral
discussions on Burma. While calling the PRC position on this
issue "very, very firm," Wu said the United States and China
missions to the UN should continue to consult and asked the
DCM to report the Chinese position to Washington immediately.


6. (C) The DCM expressed disappointment with China's

BEIJING 00012532 002 OF 002


position, pointing out that after 17 years it is clear that
the situation in Burma is getting worse, not better. The
flow of refugees to its neighbors, the trafficking of
persons, the trade in narcotics and the spread of
communicable diseases are all ongoing examples of how Burma
threatens regional peace and security. Engagement and talk
for the sake of such without real progress is
counterproductive. The Burmese regime's disappointing
decision to extend ASSK's detention is clearly a signal that
the junta is not willing to change and move forward in a
positive way. It is time for the international community to
make a clear statement about the deteriorating conditions in
Burma. The DCM pointed out that the resolution is not meant
to place sanctions on Burma, nor would it contain Chapter VII
provisions. Instead, the goal is to support UNSGY Annan's
efforts to bring about positive change in Burma and to
bolster U/SGY Gambari's message to the Burmese regime.


7. (C) Following the meeting, poloff confirmed with
Singapore Embassy Political Officer Patrick Lim that his
political counselor had been called in by MFA Asian Affairs
Department Deputy Director General Zhao Jianhua on the same
issue at the same time. Lim reported that the MFA called in
all of the ASEAN nations separately today. During their
meeting, Lim said China expressed strong concern about two
points in a draft resolution that their mission in New York
received. First, they are concerned about language calling
Burma a threat to the peace and security in region. Second,
the PRC opposes periodic UNSC review and dialogue on Burma's
situation. Lim said his side responded to China's concerns
that Singapore would support the U.S. proposal by saying that
while Singapore's general position is unchanged, i.e. it does
not see Burma as a threat to the security of the region and
does not generally agree to UNSC involvement, it has not yet
made a decision this specific case. (Comment: Previously,
the Chinese had told us that Singapore supports the United
States.)


8. (C) Lim told poloff that an "ASEAN consensus" on the U.S.
proposal is unlikely because Burma clearly prefers to deal
bilaterally with its Southeast Asian neighbors and has shown
disregard for ASEAN. Lim cited the poor treatment of ASEAN
representative Malaysia FM Hamid during his visit in March.
RANDT