FORMAL MFA REPLY ON ARF 1540 SEMINAR

UNCLAS BEIJING 018886 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR EAP/RSP, EAP/CM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PARM CH SUBJECT: FORMAL MFA REPLY ON ARF 1540 SEMINAR REF: A. STATE 135735 ¶B. BEIJING 8212 ¶1. (SBU) China formalized its inability to co-host an ASEAN Regional Forum Seminar (ARF) on UNSCR 1540 in a September 7 letter delivered to the Embassy. Full text of the letter to Blair Hall, EAP/RSP Director, is contained para 2. The letter was faxed separately to EAP/CM. China would likely participate in the 1540 seminar, as it does in all other ARF activities, MFA Asian Affairs Department Regional Security Division official Ning Bo told poloff. ¶2. (SBU) The letter, dated September 7, 2006, reads in full: BEGIN TEXT Mr. Hall, Thank you for your letter dated August 30, 2006. We appreciate the repeated efforts of your government to invite China to co-chair the ARF Seminar on the Implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1540. Though we are not able to co-chair it this time due to various reasons, including budgetary restraints and schedule arrangement, we are willing to continue the exchange and coordination with all ARF participants on security issues including non-proliferation. Looking forward to our further contacts and cooperation. Sincerely, Ma Jia Director, Regional Security Division Asia Department Ministry of Foreign Affairs People's Republic of China END TEXT. RANDT