MARCH 20 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 001887

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM MNUC KN RS IR JA CH AS PP FR
SUBJECT: MARCH 20 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS,
BANCO DELTA ASIA, IRAN, KIDNAPPINGS IN NIGERIA, WEN TO
JAPAN, HU TO RUSSIA, VISITS, HUMAN RIGHTS

BEIJING 00001887 001.2 OF 002



1. Key points made at the March 20 MFA press
conference were:

-- The Sixth Round of Six-Party Talks opened with
bilateral consultations and an opening ceremony.
China hopes the agreement reached on Banco Delta Asia
will be conducive to the denuclearization of the
Korean Peninsula. The Spokesman noted that the DPRK
is ready to shut down and seal the Yongbyon reactor
and said China hopes all parties adhere to the
principle of action for action.

-- China is concerned about the Iranian nuclear issue,
but had no comment on reports about Russia stopping
uranium shipments.

-- Two more Chinese citizens have been kidnapped in
Nigeria and China calls on Nigeria to prevent such
incidents.

-- Premier Wen's April visit to Tokyo is on track
despite media speculation on the comfort women issue.

-- President Hu will visit Moscow March 26-28 to
attend the China Year in Russia.

-- Norwegian PM Stoltenberg will visit China March 25-

28. Chinese VFM Lu will visit Australia, Papua New
Guinea and other countries soon. Politburo member Li
Changchun is visiting Latin America March 19-April 5.

-- Liu had no comment in response to questions about
human rights implications of an extradition treaty
between China and France or about possible talks with
Vatican officials.

China Hopes BDA Issue Resolved Properly
--------------


2. MFA Spokesman Liu Jianchao said at the March 20
regular press briefing that China hopes the agreement
reached regarding frozen DPRK accounts in Banco Delta
Asia will be conducive to the overall goal of the
Korean Peninsula's denuclearization. The United
States should work with the Macau SAR Government to
fully resolve the situation while ensuring Macau's
financial stability. He declined to respond to a
question asking whether the MFA had changed its
position from last week that China "regrets" the
handling of the issue.

Six-Party Talks "Complicated"
--------------


3. Bilateral consultations were held this morning as
part of the Six-Party Talks, Liu said. VFM Wu opened
the Talks by spelling out the mission and purpose of
this round of Talks. The process may be long and
complicated, but China hopes all parties honor their
February 13 agreements and solve issues of concern.
On the issue of a possible meeting of foreign
ministers, he said the parties need to consult
further. China announced no firm date for completion
of this round of Talks.


4. Responding to a question on VFM Kim's remarks
about the DPRK's relationship with the IAEA, Liu said
China noticed Kim's remarks, realizes the DPRK is
ready to shut down and seal the Yongbyon reactor and
to accept monitoring and supervision by the IAEA.
China hopes all parties will honor the "principle of
action for action." The Spokesman avoided answering
questions about DPRK VFM Kim Kye-gwan's criticism of
Japan as not eligible for participation in the Talks,
but acknowledged that substantial differences remain
between the DPRK and Japan.

Iran: Russia Withholds Uranium
--------------


5. China is concerned about the Iran nuclear issue,

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Liu said when asked to comment on Russia's decision to
withhold shipments of enriched uranium to Iran. China
hopes the Iran nuclear issue can be resolved through
diplomatic efforts. Any UNSC action should be
conducive to those effort. Liu reaffirmed China's
opposition to nuclea proliferation.

Third Kidnapping in Nigeria
--------------


6. Prompted byChinese news media, Liu announced that
two more Chinese citizens have been abducted by
unknown assailants in Nigeria. The regularity of
these cases prompted MFA to request the Nigerian
government pay attention to this issue and take
measures to prevent future kidnappings. The MFA has
released information about safety on its website and
advises its citizens abroad to exercise more caution.
Safety of citizens is a top priority for China and
every effort will be made for the safe return of those
kidnapped, said Liu.

Wen's Japan Visit Still on Track
--------------


7. Media reports that PM Wen's April visit to Japan
will be shortened due to the furor over PM Abe's
comfort women remarks was dismissed by Liu as
"speculation." China and Japan are consulting closely
regarding the visit. PM Wen will discuss China-Japan
history issues during the visit. Wen's visit to the
ROK is not a new addition to the trip.

Hu to Visit Russia
--------------


8. At the invitation of President Putin, President Hu
will visit Russia from March 26-28 and attend the
China Year in Russia opening ceremony.

Visits: Norway PM, Chinese to Australia, Latin America
-------------- --------------


9. At the invitation of PM Wen, Norway PM Stoltenberg
will visit China from March 25-28. Following up on a
previous announcement that VFM Lu Guozeng will visit
Australia and the Pacific soon, Liu said VFM Lu is
visiting at the invitation of various nations in the
region, will exchange views with his counterparts and
will promote deeper cooperation in the region. He
ducked a question whether Lu would discuss mining
investments in Papua New Guinea and Australian uranium
exports to China.


10. Politburo Standing Committee member Li
Changchun's visit to five Latin American countries
from March 19 to April 5 is not confined to central
government officials but includes provincial
government officials from China and meetings with
state and local officials in Latin America. Liu
referred reporters to the Communist Party's
International Department for more information.

Human Rights: Extradition Treaty, Vatican Talks
-------------- --


11. China and France are in close consultation about
an extradition treaty, but will announce its content
after it is finalized, Liu said in response to a
question about the human rights implications of such a
treaty. Liu had no comment when asked about a
reported meeting between Chinese and Vatican
officials.
RANDT