PRC/RUSSIA: BRIEFING ON RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 009666

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2026
TAGS: PREL RU CH IR
SUBJECT: PRC/RUSSIA: BRIEFING ON RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER
LAVROV'S MEETING WITH CHINA'S FOREIGN MINISTER

REF: OSC CPP20060516056016

Classified By: A/DCM James Van Laningham. Reasons 1.4 (b/d)


1. (C) Summary. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held
very productive bilateral talks with China's Foreign Minister
Li Zhaoxing, Russian Senior Counselor Evgueny Tomikhin told
the A/DCM in a May 18 meeting. On May 16, Lavrov was
received by President Hu Jintao and held extensive talks with
FM Li on Iran, on-going border issues, energy cooperation and
the Year of Russia in China program. Tomikhin stated that
the joint press statement issued by the foreign ministers on
Iran's nuclear program does not represent a change in
Russia's position on the issue. The foreign ministers signed
two documents, one on the construction of a bridge between
the two countries and one on an agreement to establish a
working group on migration issues. Tomikhin said that China
is very satisfied with the construction on the East Siberian
pipeline. End Summary.

Press Statement on Iran
--------------


2. (C) Tomikhin said that Russia's position on Iran's
nuclear program has not changed and that the joint statement
(reftel) issued by FM Lavrov and FM Li Zhaoxing reconfirmed
Russia's position that peaceful solution is the only way
forward on the Iran nuclear issue. According to Tomikhin, FM
Lavrov and FM Li consider the period between now and mid-June
as critical in resolving the Iranian crisis. Russia will
continue on a bilateral basis to work with Iran to find a
solution. The main goal of Russia's efforts is to encourage
Iran to take practical steps toward resolving the issue. FM
Lavrov described the last six-nations meeting in New York as
very difficult but the most productive and effective meeting
to date on Iran's nuclear program.

Border Issues and Bridges
--------------


3. (C) FM Lavrov and FM Li reviewed progress on delineating
the eastern section of the Sino-Russian border. According to
Tomikhin, the two countries are in the process of
establishing a Common Demarcation Commission that hopefully
will start field work before the end of 2006. According to
earlier agreements (NFI) signed between the two countries,
the border demarcation should be completed by 2007. During
Lavrov's visit, China and Russia signed two documents, one on
the construction of a bridge between the two countries in the
Chita region and the second to establish a working group on
migration issues.

East Siberian Pipeline Construction
--------------


4. (C) The two foreign ministers reviewed cooperation on the
joint construction of the East Siberian oil pipeline and
China is very satisfied with the progress, Tomikhin stated.
Construction of the pipeline began ahead of schedule.
Originally the project was to begin in late 2006 but
construction actually started on April 28, according to
Tomikhin. First stage is building the pipeline from East
Siberia to within 70 kilometers of China's border. The
second stage is still under consideration and there are
multiple routes the pipeline could take. Tomikhin said
Beijing is still considering the various routes for the
second stage of the pipeline and is waiting for the results
of an economic effectiveness study.

Songhua River Cleanup
--------------


5. (C) FM Lavrov and FM Li continued ongoing discussions on
environmental protection, emergency prevention and disaster
clean-up, stated Tomikhin. Scientists predicted a second
"bloom" of pollution to occur as frozen water in the Songhua
River melted after the November 2005 benzene spill. Thus far
neither China nor Russia has detected abnormal levels of
pollutants. Tomikhin said Russia is optimistic that China's
"Revival of the North East's Environment" campaign will help
to improve the air and water quality along the border. Thus
far China has pledged to spend USD 2 billion to improve the
region's environment. Tomikhin pointed out that in February
the Sino-Russian Sub-Commission on Environmental Cooperation
was established. The new commission hopes to hold its first
meeting in June or July 2006.

Year of Russia in China
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6. (C) Tomikhin said that the two foreign ministers discussed
at length the activities of the Year of Russia in China. To
date 80 events have been held. Next week the 11th Forum of
Interregional Cooperation between Chinese and Russian
Provinces will be held in Guangzhou and a 300 strong Russian
delegation will tour Sichuan province. In November 2006, the
Russian premier will open the National Russian Exhibition in
Beijing. Tomikhin said that plans for the Year of China in
Russia (2007) were also discussed.
RANDT