PRC/IRAQ: CHINA TO SUPPORT MNF-I MANDATE EXTENSION

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 023850 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO/UNP, NEA/I, EAP/CM E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2016 TAGS: PREL UNSC CH IZ SUBJECT: PRC/IRAQ: CHINA TO SUPPORT MNF-I MANDATE EXTENSION REF: STATE 188249 Classified By: Political External Unit Chief Edgard Kagan. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) China will support the extension of the Iraq MNF-I mandate out of respect for the will of the Iraqi government and people, MFA International Organizations Department Director Yang Tao informed Poloffs November 17 in response to reftel points and letter. Tao warned that although China would not be an obstacle, the United States could expect push-back from other Security Council members, particularly France and Russia. ¶2. (C) Yang cautioned that many countries, including China, were awaiting U.S. assessment reports of the Iraq situation to see how mid-term elections affect U.S. policy. He added that China shares the view of "most countries," including France, many EU members and most countries in the Middle East, believing that an immediate American withdrawal of military forces from Iraq would be a disaster for Iraq and for the entire region. Poloff assured Yang of our commitment to success in Iraq. Randt