PRC/UNSC: MIDDLE EAST RESOLUTION DEMARCHE DELIVERED

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 014724 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2016 TAGS: PREL IS KPAL KWBG CH SUBJECT: PRC/UNSC: MIDDLE EAST RESOLUTION DEMARCHE DELIVERED REF: STATE 114594 Classified By: Political External Unit Chief Edgard Kagan. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) The PRC is willing to approach Qatar to delay the vote on the draft UNSC resolution (reftel) if the United States can propose a time certain for the vote and commits to support the resolution in whichever form it is finally put to a vote, MFA International Organizations Officer Sun Zhiqiang told Poloff July 13. In response to reftel points, Sun said China supports the current resolution and will likely vote in favor of it, but that Beijing is willing to support delaying the vote for the sake of unity of the Security Council if a delay will produce positive results. Without the prospects for positive results and U.S. support, it will be difficult to convince Qatar refrain from pressing for an early vote. China will stay in close contact with the United States and others to ensure a "reasonable reaction" from the Security Council to unfolding events in the Middle East, Sun said. ¶2. (C) Poloff undertook to report the PRC position, while emphasizing reftel point that United States is unable to support the current text. RANDT