SUDAN: ADDITIONAL SANCTIONS OVER LACK OF PROGRESS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003658

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/SE ANDREW STEINFELD
USUN FOR PHEE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/31/2027
TAGS: PREL ETRD UN CH SU AU
SUBJECT: SUDAN: ADDITIONAL SANCTIONS OVER LACK OF PROGRESS
(S/ES: 200708730/1)

REF: A. STATE 73696

B. BEIJING 3599

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Dan Shields. Reasons: 1.4
(b/d).

Summary
--------------


1. (C) China does not favor expanding sanctions on Sudan and
seeks more time for diplomacy, PRC Special Representative for
Africa/Darfur Liu Guijin said in response to Polmincouns'
delivery of Ref A message on the President's announcement of
United States' sanctions on Sudan over lack of progress on
Darfur. Polmincouns said we appreciate China's efforts and
urge China to do more to persuade the Bashir regime to do
what must be done to end the killing in Darfur. We are
confident sanctions will bolster, not hinder, the
international community's efforts on Darfur, he said. Liu
said Sudanese Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ali Ahmed
Kerti was in Beijing May 25-30 for consultations with
Executive Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo, Assistant
Foreign Minister Zhai Jun and other PRC officials. Liu
reiterated his interest in meeting Special Envoy Natsios
either in Beijing or Washington. Liu intends to travel to
Africa in mid-June to speak with African Union officials.
End Summary.

PRC Wants More Time
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2. (C) Polmincouns delivered a demarche conveying reftel
message on the President's announcement of United States'
sanctions on Sudan over lack of progress on Darfur to PRC
Special Representative for Africa/Darfur Liu Guijin on May

31. Liu said China does not favor expanding sanctions.
China wants more time for diplomacy and does not want a
confrontation in the United Nations Security Council. China
still favors a "dual track" approach that seeks diplomatic
progress on the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) in parallel with
diplomatic progress on the hybrid African Union-United
Nations forces for Darfur. The Sudanese Government does not
wish to reopen the DPA but seeks talks with the
non-signatories "any time" in a third country neighboring
Sudan to bring non-signatories into the DPA. The United
Nations Secretary General's Special Envoy for Darfur Eliasson
and the African Union's Special Envoy for Darfur Salim Ahmed
Salim are trying to bring together the non-signatories and
forestall further divisions among them. Sudan awaits a
detailed plan for the Third Phase to be worked out by
Eliasson and Salim. Sudan and the international community
should sit down and discuss the way forward for the Third
Phase as equal partners. Sudanese officials doubt Western
intentions and complain that Western countries have failed to
deliver on promised aid pursuant to the Comprehensive Peace
Agreement (CPA),Liu said.


3. (C) In response, Polmincouns said we appreciate China's
efforts and urge China to do more to persuade the Bashir
regime to do what must be done to end the killing in Darfur.
We cannot be patient while the killing continues. We are
confident sanctions will bolster, not hinder, the
international community's efforts on Darfur, Polmincouns
noted.

More PRC-Sudan Exchanges
--------------


4. (C) Liu said Sudanese Minister of State for Foreign
Affairs Ali Ahmed Kerti was in Beijing May 25-30 for
consultations with Executive Vice Foreign Minister Dai
Bingguo, Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun and other PRC
officials. Liu attended the consultations and took the
opportunity to underscore themes he raised with the Sudanese
during his Sudan trip (Ref B). In all his interactions with
the Sudanese, Liu said he has pressed them to be flexible on
the Third Phase of the Annan plan, but the Sudanese still
want a "hybrid operation," in the form of African Union
troops bolstered by United Nations financial and technical
support, rather than "hybrid forces" with United Nations
command and control. Liu said he has made it clear to the
Sudanese that China supports United Nations command and

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control. It is unrealistic to expect the United Nations to
provide financial and technical resources that the UN cannot
control, Liu said he pointed out to Sudanese counterparts.

Liu: Darfur Basically Stable
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5. (C) Based on his observations during his trip, Liu said
the humanitarian and security situation seems generally
stable in Darfur. Liu acknowledged that he was escorted by
Sudanese Government officials throughout his trip and did not
speak with independent sources. China believes poverty and
underdevelopment are the root cause of the Darfur conflict.
At the same time, seventy-nine percent of Sudan's arable land
is uncultivated. China seeks to aid Sudan in poverty
alleviation by opening an agricultural development center,
financing mobile classrooms and improving access to water
resources. Attempts by Western media and NGOs to link the
Beijing Olympics to genocide in Darfur are too sensational,
Liu protested.

Liu Guijin Travel Plans
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6. (C) Liu said he intends to travel to Africa in mid-June,
in advance of the African Union Summit, to meet with
Chairperson of the African Union Commission Alpha Oumar
Konare, the African Union Peace and Security Council and
Special Envoy Salim. Liu reiterated his willingness to meet
Special Envoy Natsios either in Beijing at any time or
Washington, noting that if he travels to the United States,
which would probably have to be in July, he will also seek to
meet Special Envoy Eliasson in New York.

Plans for Security Council Resolution?
--------------


7. (C) As the meeting concluded, Liu asked about American
plans to pursue a Sudan sanctions resolution in the UN
Security Council. Polmincouns suggested that the best
channel for a discussion on the question of any Security
Council resolution would be between our Missions in New York.
PICCUTA