Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BEIJING1937
2007-03-21 12:57:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:
CHINA SEEKING SOLUTION AGREEABLE TO ALL ON UNESCO
how-toVZCZCXYZ0014 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHBJ #1937 0801257 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 211257Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6045 INFO RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 1821 RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 0271 RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 0294 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 4307 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 4Q0 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 2031 RUEHVI/AMEMBASSY VIENNA 0221 RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 0667 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1687 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1661 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 001937
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR IO/UNESCO
PARIS FOR UNESCO MISSION
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/22/2017
TAGS: PREL KPAL UNESCO CH IS
SUBJECT: CHINA SEEKING SOLUTION AGREEABLE TO ALL ON UNESCO
SPECIAL SESSION ISSUE
REF: STATE 33996
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Daniel Shields. Reasons 1.4
(b/d).
Summary
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 001937
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR IO/UNESCO
PARIS FOR UNESCO MISSION
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/22/2017
TAGS: PREL KPAL UNESCO CH IS
SUBJECT: CHINA SEEKING SOLUTION AGREEABLE TO ALL ON UNESCO
SPECIAL SESSION ISSUE
REF: STATE 33996
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Daniel Shields. Reasons 1.4
(b/d).
Summary
--------------
1. (C) China will try to find a solution to the
proposal for a UNESCO special session on the Old City
of Jerusalem that satisfies all parties, MFA
International Organizations Counselor Jiang Qin told
PolMinCouns in response to reftel demarche. The
Chinese Chairman of UNESCO's Executive Board will act
in strict accordance with UNESCO rules and procedures,
Jiang said, noting that China's Chair is consulting
with all parties now to find a solution. PolMinCouns
emphasized that, as Chair, China has a duty to prevent
politicization of UNESCO, to avoid setting a dangerous
precedent and to reject the request for a special
session, referring the matter to the World Heritage
Committee. End Summary.
2. (C) In response to repeated requests by Embassy
Beijing to deliver reftel demarche, MFA Director
General for International Organizations Wu Hailong
instructed Counselor Jiang Qin on March 22 to meet
PolMinCouns to receive reftel demarche. PolMinCouns
urged China to reject the request for a special
session of UNESCO's Executive Board to discuss the Old
City of Jerusalem. Agreeing to a special session in
this case would set a dangerous precedent given the
reality that the session is aimed politically at a
UNESCO member. China should not allow the
politicization of UNESCO. The agency has suffered in
the past when it varied from its technical mission and
pursued a political agenda. Beijing should instruct
the Chairman of UNESCO's Executive Board to refer the
matter entirely to the World Heritage Committee, as
conservation of World Heritage Sites falls under that
committee's mandate, PolMinCouns said.
3. (C) Jiang responded that China will try to find a
solution that satisfies all parties. From the
viewpoint of protecting world heritage, China
understands the request by some Arab governments that
hope to preserve heritage of the Old City of
Jerusalem. China takes note of the United States'
concerns and hopes to avoid politicization. The
Chinese Chair of the Executive Board, Mr. Zhang
Xingsheng, is in Paris now consulting with the parties
in an effort to find a mutually acceptable solution,
she added.
4. (C) As Chair, China will act in strict accordance
with UNESCO's rules and procedures, Jiang said.
PolMinCouns said the Chair should execise discretion
and reject the request to avoi setting a precedent
that would be damaging to UNESCO. Jiang said China
takes the United States' position seriously and agreed
to immediately convey the United States' message to DG
Wu and AFM Cui Tiankai.
RANDT
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR IO/UNESCO
PARIS FOR UNESCO MISSION
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/22/2017
TAGS: PREL KPAL UNESCO CH IS
SUBJECT: CHINA SEEKING SOLUTION AGREEABLE TO ALL ON UNESCO
SPECIAL SESSION ISSUE
REF: STATE 33996
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Daniel Shields. Reasons 1.4
(b/d).
Summary
--------------
1. (C) China will try to find a solution to the
proposal for a UNESCO special session on the Old City
of Jerusalem that satisfies all parties, MFA
International Organizations Counselor Jiang Qin told
PolMinCouns in response to reftel demarche. The
Chinese Chairman of UNESCO's Executive Board will act
in strict accordance with UNESCO rules and procedures,
Jiang said, noting that China's Chair is consulting
with all parties now to find a solution. PolMinCouns
emphasized that, as Chair, China has a duty to prevent
politicization of UNESCO, to avoid setting a dangerous
precedent and to reject the request for a special
session, referring the matter to the World Heritage
Committee. End Summary.
2. (C) In response to repeated requests by Embassy
Beijing to deliver reftel demarche, MFA Director
General for International Organizations Wu Hailong
instructed Counselor Jiang Qin on March 22 to meet
PolMinCouns to receive reftel demarche. PolMinCouns
urged China to reject the request for a special
session of UNESCO's Executive Board to discuss the Old
City of Jerusalem. Agreeing to a special session in
this case would set a dangerous precedent given the
reality that the session is aimed politically at a
UNESCO member. China should not allow the
politicization of UNESCO. The agency has suffered in
the past when it varied from its technical mission and
pursued a political agenda. Beijing should instruct
the Chairman of UNESCO's Executive Board to refer the
matter entirely to the World Heritage Committee, as
conservation of World Heritage Sites falls under that
committee's mandate, PolMinCouns said.
3. (C) Jiang responded that China will try to find a
solution that satisfies all parties. From the
viewpoint of protecting world heritage, China
understands the request by some Arab governments that
hope to preserve heritage of the Old City of
Jerusalem. China takes note of the United States'
concerns and hopes to avoid politicization. The
Chinese Chair of the Executive Board, Mr. Zhang
Xingsheng, is in Paris now consulting with the parties
in an effort to find a mutually acceptable solution,
she added.
4. (C) As Chair, China will act in strict accordance
with UNESCO's rules and procedures, Jiang said.
PolMinCouns said the Chair should execise discretion
and reject the request to avoi setting a precedent
that would be damaging to UNESCO. Jiang said China
takes the United States' position seriously and agreed
to immediately convey the United States' message to DG
Wu and AFM Cui Tiankai.
RANDT