BEIJING WILL SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THE GLOBAL

UNCLAS BEIJING 014345 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR ISN/WMDT AND T:TIM KATSAPIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MCAP PINR PINS PTER KNNP CH RS IAEA SUBJECT: BEIJING WILL SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THE GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO COMBAT NUCLEAR TERRORISM REF: STATE 110160 ¶1. (SBU) China attaches great importance to the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism and will study the presidential announcement carefully, stated Assistant Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai. In response to the joint presentation of reftel points on July 7 by the DCM and the Russian Charge d'affairs Igor Morgulova, Cui said that Beijing will continue to promote with strong determination the fight against terrorism and will respond promptly to the U.S.-Russian initiative. The DCM urged the PRC to issue a general statement of support for the initiative shortly after it is publicly announced, stressing that with a statement from China the initiative would gain traction in the international community. The Russian Charge stated that Russia and the United States would be pleased if China could support the initiative and hope that China will agree to be a founding member of the Global Initiative. ¶2. (SBU) Cui pointed out that China supports UNSC Resolutions on targeting terrorism and endorsed the UN Secretary General's report on the global fight against terrorism. China, the United States and Russia are permanent members of the UNSC and share a heavy responsibility for stopping terrorism and maintaining world peace, Cui said. As victims of terrorist acts, it is imperative that the three countries strengthen cooperation in fighting terrorism. Positive progress has been made in China-U.S. and China-Russia bilateral efforts to combat terrorism and Beijing hopes that intensified efforts to fight terrorism can be made in the bilateral, trilateral and multilateral arenas. ¶3. (SBU) Cui raised two administrative questions regarding the initiative: first, will the initiative be included as part of the G-8 agenda and, second, where and at what level will the proposed October 2006 meeting be held? The DCM responded that the initiative will be presented as a bilateral effort and is not part of the G-8 Summit. The Russian Charge added that President Bush and President Putin will make the announcement on the eve of the St. Petersburg G-8 summit. The DCM proposed that working-level contacts be established between the three parties to continue the discussion of the initiative and said that the United States is prepared to respond rapidly and work closely with the PRC and Russia on this issue. Cui agreed, stating that it is important to maintain close coordination and cooperation on this issue. RANDT