CHINA'S SPECIAL ENVOY DISCUSSES MIDDLE EAST TRIP

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 002712 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KPAL IS CH XF SUBJECT: CHINA'S SPECIAL ENVOY DISCUSSES MIDDLE EAST TRIP Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) China sees its role in the Middle East as one of trying to persuade all parties to continue looking for a way toward peace, China's Special Envoy on the Middle East Sun Bigan told Poloffs during a briefing on his April 9-20 visit to Saudi Arabia, Israel, the Palestinian Territories and Brussels. Sun discussed the recent Arab Summit and concluded that Arab nations were committed to restarting the Arab Peace Initiative. In meetings with Palestinian President Abbas, Israeli Foreign Minister Livni and other leaders, Sun said he learned more about their differences, especially about Israel's three preconditions to further negotiations. Sun also met with the families of three captured Israeli soldiers. He concluded the briefing by answering questions on China's role in the Middle East, thanking Saudi Arabia for its role in the peace process and encouraging the international community to deal fairly with Palestinians and Israelis. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) In order to gauge the current situation in the Middle East and to encourage peace talks, Chinese Special Envoy Sun traveled to the region from April 9-18 and attended meetings with Saudi Arabian, Palestinian and Israeli leaders, Sun said in an April 20 briefing. Sun appealed to all parties involved to use the positive momentum generated by the Mecca Accord and the recent Arab summit to increase mutual trust and resume the peace process. China welcomes the establishment of a new Palestinian government and hopes the international community will support Palestinians and Israelis in resolving their conflicts, Sun said. ¶3. (SBU) Sun reiterated that China consistently advocates a peaceful political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that leads to the harmonious coexistence of two nations based on UN resolutions and the theory of land-for-peace. China encourages the efforts of Saudi Arabia and the Palestinian Authority, urges commitment to the newly formed unity government and hopes Palestinian authorities will make greater efforts, specifically to release the three captured Israeli solders whose family members Sun met. China also calls on Israel to make further steps to ease the humanitarian crisis in the West Bank and Gaza and to have greater compromise. As a permanent UNSC member, China will work with all parties to increase contact and cooperation and support all efforts to further the peace process and realize peace in the Middle East, Sun said. ¶4. (SBU) Sun made four general observations: First, he noted Arab nations are dedicated to restarting the Arab Peace Initiative and hoped that Arab nations could make progress towards normalizing relations with Israel. Second, he noted that while the international community helped resolve some intra-Palestinian conflict with the Mecca Accord, it should be doing more to help resolve conflicts between the Palestinian government and Israel regarding the three preconditions. Third, he emphasized the importance Israel attaches to the issue of the three captured soldiers, expressed sympathy for the soldiers' families and encouraged a prisoner exchange as soon as possible. Finally, he mentioned that Olmert and Abbas began holding regular bi-weekly meetings while he was in the region. Sun felt these meetings would be important opportunities to discuss key topics, including security, arms smuggling and easing the closure of borders and crossings into Palestinian areas. ¶5. (SBU) Responding to questions, Sun said that China plays a positive role as an advocate for peace, working to persuade all parties to continue looking for a path to peace. China is far away and has no private interest in the Middle East, but nonetheless pays close attention to the situation, especially between Israel and the Arab Nations. Sun emphasized that if the Middle East finds peace, the political trust and economic and trade cooperation that will result will be favorable to all countries, including China. ¶6. (SBU) Sun was challenged on the issue whether China's Mideast role is truly disinterested, given its desire for oil and other natural resources in the region. He dismissed such charges as groundless, pointing out that China has had relations with some Middle East countries for decades, but only became an oil importer after 1993. China believes it has a positive and fair role in the region, with friendly exchanges with Arab countries and with Israel. ¶7. (SBU) In his meetings with Saudi Arabian King Abdullah and Foreign Minister Saud Al Faisal, Sun said they touched on bilateral relations between China and Saudi Arabia, observing that the relationship has grown quickly and smoothly since ties were established in 1990. But the trip focused on convincing all parties to move toward peace talks. Sun thanked Saudi Arabia for its work to promote Palestinian cohesiveness with the Mecca Accord and its efforts to improve relations between Israel and Arab Nations during the recent Arab Summit. BEIJING 00002712 002 OF 002 ¶8. (SBU) Sun called on the international community to treat Israelis and Palestinians fairly, saying that while Palestinians should make efforts toward peace, Israelis should also make appropriate compromises.