AFM HE YAFEI TELLS LT. GENERAL EIKENBERRY CHINA

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001391

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2037
TAGS: PREL PTER MOPS CH IR
SUBJECT: AFM HE YAFEI TELLS LT. GENERAL EIKENBERRY CHINA
CONCERNED UNITED STATES COULD ATTACK IRAN

REF: IIR 6814 735 07

Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission David S. Sedney.
Reasons 1.4 (b/d).

Summary
--------------


1. (S) China is increasingly concerned that the
United States could attack Iran, Assistant Foreign
Minister He Yafei told Lt. General Karl Eikenberry,
outgoing Commanding General of the Combined Forces
Command - Afghanistan, during a February 27 meeting
(other subjects discussed reported separately per
reftel). AFM He said China has been paying close
attention to recent statements on Iran by senior
United States Government officials. Lt. General
Eikenberry responded that these statements clearly
outline the American position. AFM He said the United
States-China relationship is too important to be
sidetracked by Iran. Current deployments of United
States' military assets to the Persian Gulf and recent
United States' diplomatic exchanges with Middle
Eastern countries remind Beijing of similar
deployments and exchanges in advance of United States'
military action in Iraq. Iran's religious leadership
may see itself as "backed into a corner" and might
unleash worldwide terror attacks. Conflict between
the United States and Iran would be a disaster for the
world economy, AFM He said. End Summary.

Beijing Concerned United States Could Attack Iran
-------------- --------------


2. (S) China is increasingly concerned that the
United States could attack Iran, Assistant Foreign
Minister He Yafei told Lt. General Karl Eikenberry,
outgoing Commanding General of the Combined Forces
Command - Afghanistan, during a February 27 meeting.
AFM He said China has been paying close attention to
recent statements on Iran by senior United States
Government officials. General Eikenberry responded
that these statements clearly outline the American
position. AFM He said the United States-China
relationship is too important to be sidetracked by
Iran. The United States and China should continue to
build mutual strategic trust to make the bilateral
relationship the "cornerstone" of the international
order. The world is faced with many multilateral
issues that neither China nor the United States can
solve alone, AFM He said. Beijing is also concerned
about Israel's reaction to Iran's continued refusal to
halt its nuclear program. Lt. General Eikenberry
responded that the Israelis share the same concerns as
the rest of the international community.


3. (S) AFM He stated that Beijing is worried that
Tehran's refusal to negotiate, combined with what
might be perceived as Washington's preparations for
war, will defeat any attempts, before they are tried,
at finding a diplomatic solution. Current deployments
of United States' military assets to the Persian Gulf
and recent United States' diplomatic exchanges with
Middle Eastern countries remind Beijing of similar
deployments and exchanges in advance of United States'
military action in Iraq. Iran openly discounts the
effectiveness of a United States' missile campaign
against its nuclear facilities, AFM He said.


4. (S) Lt. General Eikenberry asked AFM He what China
sees as the potential sources of leverage the
international community has over Iran. AFM He stated
some sanctions will be necessary to create pressure on
Iran. Pointing out that Iran's religious leaders are
the final decision makers, He said that MFA Iran
experts are worried that Iran's religious leadership
may see itself as "backed into a corner." Noting that
Iran's leaders in the past have compromised at the
last moment, AFM He stated that it is hard to know the
true intentions of Iran's leadership. It is quite
possible that they might unleash worldwide terror
attacks. Conflict between the United States and Iran
would be a disaster for the world economy, AFM He
said.


BEIJING 00001391 002 OF 002



5. (U) Lt. General Eikenberry has cleared this
message.
RANDT