Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BEIJING2043
2007-03-26 14:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:
UK URGES CHINA TO PRESS IRAN FOR THE RELEASE OF UK
how-toVZCZCXRO5550 OO RUEHBC RUEHCN RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHGH RUEHKUK RUEHVC DE RUEHBJ #2043 0851425 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 261425Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6223 INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 3103 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 1205 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1664 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 0668
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 002043
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2027
TAGS: PREL MOPS UK CH IR
SUBJECT: UK URGES CHINA TO PRESS IRAN FOR THE RELEASE OF UK
MILITARY PERSONNEL
REF: BEIJING 2042
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Daniel Shields. Reasons
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 002043
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2027
TAGS: PREL MOPS UK CH IR
SUBJECT: UK URGES CHINA TO PRESS IRAN FOR THE RELEASE OF UK
MILITARY PERSONNEL
REF: BEIJING 2042
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Daniel Shields. Reasons 1.
4 (b/d).
1. (C) China will do all it can to persuade Iran to return
the British military personnel Iran is now holding, MFA
International Organizations Deputy Director General Chen Xu
said to British Polmincouns Peter Wilson on March 26 in
response to Wilson's request that Beijing intervene with
Tehran on the matter. MFA Arms Control and Disarmament
Department Director General Zhang Yan, who has been
participating in P5-plus-Germany Political Directors
discussions on Iran issues, is currently seeking to raise
the issue with the Iranian Ambassador in Beijing, Chen
said.
2. (C) Wilson provided Chen with a map illustrating that
Iran's seizure of the UK vessel actually occurred in Iraqi
waters. Under international law Iran should have only
ordered the ship out of the area if Tehran believed the
ship was in Iranian waters. Iran has not allowed UK
diplomats consular access to the military personnel and the
British Government does not know where they are being held.
Wilson requested that Beijing emphasize to Tehran the need
for British consular access to the individuals. The
British press is starting to pressure government officials
for statements on the situation and it is growing
increasingly difficult for the UK to maintain a low-key
approach, Wilson said.
3. (C) United States Embassy Polmincouns, who was present
at the meeting in the context of a separate discussion on
UN Security Council Resolution 1747 (reftel),said he had
no instructions on the matter but the United States fully
supports the efforts of our British allies to ensure the
prompt and safe return of UK military personnel held by
Iran.
RANDT
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2027
TAGS: PREL MOPS UK CH IR
SUBJECT: UK URGES CHINA TO PRESS IRAN FOR THE RELEASE OF UK
MILITARY PERSONNEL
REF: BEIJING 2042
Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Daniel Shields. Reasons 1.
4 (b/d).
1. (C) China will do all it can to persuade Iran to return
the British military personnel Iran is now holding, MFA
International Organizations Deputy Director General Chen Xu
said to British Polmincouns Peter Wilson on March 26 in
response to Wilson's request that Beijing intervene with
Tehran on the matter. MFA Arms Control and Disarmament
Department Director General Zhang Yan, who has been
participating in P5-plus-Germany Political Directors
discussions on Iran issues, is currently seeking to raise
the issue with the Iranian Ambassador in Beijing, Chen
said.
2. (C) Wilson provided Chen with a map illustrating that
Iran's seizure of the UK vessel actually occurred in Iraqi
waters. Under international law Iran should have only
ordered the ship out of the area if Tehran believed the
ship was in Iranian waters. Iran has not allowed UK
diplomats consular access to the military personnel and the
British Government does not know where they are being held.
Wilson requested that Beijing emphasize to Tehran the need
for British consular access to the individuals. The
British press is starting to pressure government officials
for statements on the situation and it is growing
increasingly difficult for the UK to maintain a low-key
approach, Wilson said.
3. (C) United States Embassy Polmincouns, who was present
at the meeting in the context of a separate discussion on
UN Security Council Resolution 1747 (reftel),said he had
no instructions on the matter but the United States fully
supports the efforts of our British allies to ensure the
prompt and safe return of UK military personnel held by
Iran.
RANDT