SE NATIOS' MEETING WITH PRC PERMREP WANG

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 002281

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF A/S FRAZER, AF S/E NATSIOS, IO A/S
SILVERBERG, NSC FOR PITTMAN AND SHORTLEY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/22/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER UNSC SU KPKO
SUBJECT: SE NATIOS' MEETING WITH PRC PERMREP WANG

REF: A. KHARTOUM 02845


B. KHARTOUM 02890

Classified By: Ambassador Alejandro D. Wolff, per 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: During a December 21 working lunch with
Special Envoy Andrew Natsios, Chinese UN Permanent
Representative AMB Wang Guangya emphasized that the U.S. and
the PRC share a common objective of a peaceful settlement to
the Darfur crisis. Wang expressed optimism that Sudanese
President Bashir would deliver on his promise to allow the UN
to begin implementing the Addis/Abuja framework, which
mandates a three-phased deployment of UN assistance and
peacekeeping forces to Darfur; he noted that he has pushed
Sudanese to respond positively and unambiguously to SYG
Annan's letter to Bashir. Wang said the PRC is not
interested in putting forward a new resolution that would
supersede UNSCR 1706 and said diplomatic coordination with
Beijing is the best way to pressure the Government of Sudan
(GOS). Natsios encouraged the PRC to continue working behind
the scenes to convince Khartoum to implement the Addis/Abuja
framework, but emphasized that U.S. patience with the GOS is
running out and improvements on the ground in Darfur will be
the test of Sudanese seriousness. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) PRC Participants: AMB Wang Guangya, POL Minister
Counselor Li Junhua, and Biang Ge (Notetaker). USG
Participants: Special Envoy Andrew Natsios, Chief of Staff
Envoy Andrew Steinfeld, USUN POLOFF (notetaker).

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Wang: No Precedent or Need
For New Resolution on Darfur
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3. (C) Natsios described his December 13 meeting with
President Bashir in Khartoum and U.S. expectations following
the passage of the December 19 UNSC presidential statement
(PRST) endorsing the Addis/Abuja framework (ref A). Wang
concurred that giving President Bashir the political cover of
the PRST to back away from his inflexible stance on UN
deployment was the right approach. In regard to President
Bashir's oft repeated demand for a new UNSCR resolution to
supersede or rescind UNSC 1706, Wang said he saw "no
precedent or need" for a new resolution. Wang expressed
optimism that the Addis/Abuja framework made progress
possible on the three tracks he viewed as essential for a
sustainable peace in Darfur: a rejuvenated political process,
implementation of a cease-fire, and the establishment of an
effective "peacekeeping modality."


4. (C) Natsios thanked AMB Wang for his diplomatic efforts to
find a solution to the Darfur crisis. Wang said he is
pleased that the U.S. and the PRC are "working together" to
find peace in Darfur. Wang reported that he had given the
GOS two messages following the December 19 passage of the
PRST. The GOS must take action to implement a cease-fire in
Darfur, including controlling janjaweed militias, and provide
an unambiguous response to SYG Annan's December 18 letter
outlining specific steps the GOS must take to implement the
Addis/Abuja framework (ref B). Wang expressed optimism that
President Bashir is indeed softening his position on UN
deployment in Darfur and would respond positively.

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The Chinese Method
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5. (C) Wang argued that the correct approach with the GOS is
the "language of shared interests." President Bashir's inner
circle is preoccupied with the possibility that the
international community had a hidden agenda, i.e. regime
change in the Sudan. Likewise the "impunity" issue, i.e.
potential for ICC indictments for war crimes in Darfur, is a
motivating factor for Bashir's intransigence regarding UN
deployment. Absent assurances in these areas, the GOS is
likely to continue hindering implementation of any effective
peacekeeping force in Darfur.


6. (C) Natsios responded that, at this point, the U.S. is
only interested in finding a peaceful solution to the Darfur
crisis. U.S. impatience with the continuing atrocities is
mounting and absent improvements on the ground, this dynamic
could force the U.S. to take punitive or coercive measures.
Wang acknowledged the importance of making an improvement in
the security situation in Darfur and being tough with the GOS
so that they will "seize this opportunity."


USUN NEW Y 00002281 002 OF 002


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Coordination with Beijing
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7. (C) Wang returned repeatedly to the importance of
coordinating diplomatic efforts with Beijing and presenting a
unified message from the UNSC. The U.S. and China must "work
together to put the right pressure on Bashir." Natsios said
he appreciated Chinese help and understood that the PRC is
playing a constructive role behind the scenes. Wang made the
case for a Natsios visit to Beijing saying it would send an
"important message" regarding U.S. recognition of Chinese
interests in the Sudan.


8. (U) SE Andrew Natsios' staff cleared this message.

WOLFF