PRC/HAMAS: HAMAS FOREIGN MINISTER INVITED TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 009397 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/17/2016 TAGS: PREL PTER KPAL IS CH SUBJECT: PRC/HAMAS: HAMAS FOREIGN MINISTER INVITED TO BEIJING FOR THE SINO-ARAB FORUM REF: A. BEIJING 06347 ¶B. BEIJING 06531 Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Robert Griffiths. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) MFA West Asian and North African Affairs Department Deputy Director General Chen Xiaodong called in poloffs at 8:45 a.m. May 17 to inform that Palestinian Government Foreign Minister Mahmoud Al- Zahhar has been invited to Beijing for the second meeting of the Sino-Arab Cooperation Forum to be held May 31-June 1. Chen stated that he requested the meeting with poloffs to provide the United State government advance notice of Al-Zahhar's trip to Beijing since Washington pays close attention to the Palestinian situation. The MFA announced the invitation to the press at 9 a.m. ¶2. (C) Poloffs expressed surprise that Beijing would extend such an invitation given HAMAS's record on terrorism and asked whether there would be any bilateral meetings with the Palestinians. Chen responded that in its dealings with the new Palestinian leadership, China seeks to persuade HAMAS to renounce violence, recognize Israel and to abide by agreements already concluded between Palestine and Israel. No bilateral meetings between Al-Zahhar and Chinese officials are planned. However, Chen said there would probably be opportunities for "non- official" contact. President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao will participate in the forum, while Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing may meet with Al- Zahhar informally, such as during coffee breaks. In response to poloff's question, Chen said an MFA representative has met twice with Al-Zahhar, the most recent meeting taking place last week. ¶3. (C) Chen acknowledged U.S. concerns over Beijing's dealings with HAMAS, pointing out that Beijing has denied several requests from Al-Zahhar to make bilateral visits to China. However, under the rules of the Sino-Arab Forum all member countries are issued invitations to send their foreign ministers to the summit. Beijing issued Al-Zahhar an invitation and has accepted his confirmation that he will attend. ¶4. (C) Following poloffs' return to the Embassy, the Political Minister Counselor called Xie Feng, MFA Counselor in the North American Affairs Department, to express formally U.S. displeasure with the invitation, which is inconsistent with the cooperation we seek in our bilateral relationship, and ask that it be reconsidered. RANDT