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