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). -------------- Wang: No Precedent or Need For New Resolution on Darfur -------------- ¶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 �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. -------------- The Chinese Method -------------- ¶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 -------------- Coordination with Beijing -------------- ¶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