Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BEIJING9397
2006-05-17 07:21:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:
PRC/HAMAS: HAMAS FOREIGN MINISTER INVITED TO
how-toVZCZCXRO7474 OO RUEHCN RUEHGH DE RUEHBJ #9397 1370721 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 170721Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5676 INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 0177 RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 0208 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 1928 RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 0625 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
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).
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
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