CHINESE OPPOSITION TO BURMA RESOLUTION UNCHANGED;

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 000267 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR P, IO, EAP, IO/UNP, EAP/MLS AND EAP/CM IO/UNP FOR WICKBERG NSC FOR WILDER USUN FOR PHEE E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2027 TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC BM CH SUBJECT: CHINESE OPPOSITION TO BURMA RESOLUTION UNCHANGED; BEIJING WILL VETO; FEARS COSTS OF CONFRONTATION REF: A. STATE 3407 ¶B. STATE 3591 ¶C. BEIJING 117 ¶D. 2006 BEIJING 24497 ¶E. 2006 BEIJING 24800 Classified By: CDA David S. Sedney. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Calling the Charge to a 9:00 pm "urgent meeting," Assistant Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai said China has "clearly" told the United States that Burma is a matter of national security for China, that there is no present threat from Burma to regional peace and security, that none of Burma's neighbors support a UNSC resolution and that China will "vote against" a Burma resolution if it is brought to a vote. The PRC will inform other UNSC members and make a public announcement of its opposition unless a solution is reached imminently, but, in any case, China will vote against a resolution. CDA stressed the need for a resolution, highlighted that we have kept the PRC informed of our views and said we planned for a vote on January 12. Cui said China and the United States have recently worked well together on tough issues such as Iran and North Korea at the UNSC. He feared that by forcing a confrontation, the United States will endanger that cooperation. Asked about whether the revisions to the draft text would have an impact on Beijing's position, a working-level official said that the PRC opposition is to a resolution and not specific text. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Following a dinner for visiting Special Envoy for Sudan Andrew Natsios, Assistant Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai asked CDA to stay to "urgently" discuss U.S. plans to introduce a Burma resolution at the Security Council. Speaking in measured but stern tones, Cui said that while Beijing shares the concerns of the United States and many other countries about the internal situation in Myanmar, China does not believe Burma poses a threat to international peace and security. Burma is an issue of national security for China, according to Cui. Noting that as a neighbor sharing a 2200 kilometer border with Burma, the PRC believes it is well positioned to judge what poses a threat to the region, Cui said Beijing does not believe Burma constitutes a threat to international peace and security as required by the UNSC mandate. Arguing that China has made its views opposing a resolution clear to the United States in Washington, New York and Beijing, Cui expressed disappointment that the PRC has been "surprised" by the U.S. decision to push for a vote this week. Cui said "if there is a vote, China will vote against" a Burma resolution. Expressing concern that public disagreement between the United States and China would harm the effectiveness of the UNSC, said the PRC was telling the United States before it told other countries and went public, hoping the United States would resolve the problem. But, if the United States pushed for a resolution, China would vote against. ¶3. (C) Drawing from ref A points, CDA explained the need for a resolution on Burma. He urged the PRC to abstain rather than vote against such a resolution. CDA handed over a copy of ref B revised draft text, noting that we have sought to address the concerns of various parties and are prepared to discuss additional changes to the text. Pointing to VFM Yang Jiechi's recent discussions in Washington as well as other contacts in New York and Beijing (Refs C-E),CDA highlighted that we have been very consistent in telling the PRC of our intent to bring a Burma resolution to a vote and that China should not be surprised. ¶4. (C) Poloff subsequently followed up with MFA IO Department UN Division Deputy Director Yao Shaojun to ask that Beijing study closely the revised text of the draft resolution. Yao said that PRC opposition to a resolution, any resolution, cannot be addressed by changing the text. SEDNEY