CHINA/SUDAN: BEIJING OPPOSES CONGRESSIONAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 003771 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/SE ANDREW STEINFELD USUN FOR PHEE E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2027 TAGS: PREL ETRD UN CH SU AU SUBJECT: CHINA/SUDAN: BEIJING OPPOSES CONGRESSIONAL RESOLUTIONS AIMED AT CHINA'S ROLE IN SUDAN/DARFUR Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Robert Griffiths. R easons: 1.4 (b/d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) China is strongly dissatisfied with and opposes two proposed Congressional resolutions related to China's role in Darfur, Director General for North American and Oceanian Affairs Liu Jieyi told the Charg on June 5. Liu contended "Darfur is moving in the direction of being resolved" and then outlined China's diplomatic efforts to date, criticized United States' unilateral sanctions and cautioned that Congressional action to rebuke China or link the Beijing Olympics to Darfur could adversely affect United States-China cooperation on Darfur. The Charg said that the United States appreciates China's diplomatic efforts to date, but what really counts is stopping the killing as soon as possible. The Congressional actions, which the Congress may take as a separate branch of government, reflect the concerns of the American people. The United States hopes that China will continue to cooperate with our efforts toward ending the crisis, including in the U.N. Security Council. End Summary. ¶2. (C) China understands the United States Congress will consider and vote upon two resolutions designed to pressure China on Sudan/Darfur, Liu told the Charg on June 5, citing House Resolution 422, introduced by Representative Barbara Lee, and Senate Resolution 203, introduced by Senator Robert Menendez. Liu said the resolutions confuse the facts, attempt to link Darfur to the Beijing Olympics, disregard China's constructive efforts to help resolve the Darfur problem and contain baseless accusations against China. The PRC expresses its strong dissatisfaction with and opposition to the resolutions, which Beijing considers to be gross interference with China's internal affairs. ¶3. (C) Darfur is an old and complex problem involving ethnic or tribal disputes, scarce resources and religious differences, Liu said. China believes poverty is the root cause of the conflict. A multifaceted solution based on political, economic, security and humanitarian considerations is required, along with constructive efforts by all sides involved, Liu noted. ¶4. (C) It is evident to all, Liu said, that China has made important contributions toward resolving Darfur. China's unremitting efforts to encourage the Sudanese Government to cooperate with international efforts to resolve Darfur include President Hu Jintao's personal attempts to "work on" President Bashir, frequent official exchanges with Sudan, the dispatch of PRC envoys to Sudan and the appointment of a Special Representative for Africa/Darfur. China attaches great importance to Darfur's humanitarian and security situation and has provided humanitarian assistance and funding to the Darfur region and to the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS). China also will contribute an engineering unit to the Heavy Support Package (HSP) under the Annan Plan. ¶5. (C) Overall the Darfur issue is "moving in the direction of being resolved," Liu said. The United Nations, African Union and Sudanese Government efforts have yielded results and steps are being taken to implement the HSP under Phase Two of the Annan Plan. President Bashir recently agreed in principle to a hybrid African Union-United Nations operation in Darfur. China believes the "dual track" approach must be pursued, with the international community pushing for implementation of Phase Three of the Annan Plan while simultaneously pressuring non-signatory rebel groups to join the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA). China hopes the United States will play a positive role and use its influence to get the non-signatory rebels to sign the DPA. Recent United States unilateral sanctions dealt a blow to United Nations and African Union efforts to convince the Sudanese Government to cooperate with the international community on Phase Three of the Annan Plan and sent the wrong signal to non-signatory rebels, Liu said. Unilateral sanctions made the solution more complex. ¶6. (C) Darfur is not a Chinese issue, Liu said. The United States should support China and other relevant parties in seeking a solution for Darfur. Some people in the United BEIJING 00003771 002 OF 002 States make an issue of Darfur and attack China baselessly for domestic political reasons. If the proposed Congressional resolutions are adopted, they would send the wrong signal to the outside world and seriously damage United States-China cooperation on Darfur. The PRC urges the United States to stop consideration and passage of the resolutions. The United States administration should correctly guide Congress, the media and the public to better understand China's constructive role on Darfur. China should not be vilified for Darfur and the Beijing Olympics should not be linked to Darfur. The United States Government should set the record straight and prevent some people from poisoning the atmosphere, Liu said, noting that Special Representative Liu Guijin will have a difficult time coordinating with the United States amidst all th e "finger-wagging." ¶7. (C) The Charg stressed to DG Liu that the United States is deeply committed to stopping the killing and ending the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. Our sanctions are designed to ensure President Bashir fulfills his obligations and cooperates with the international community to end the violence. The United States appreciates China's diplomatic efforts to date but more pressure must be brought to bear on Sudan in light of the dire security situation. Congress is a separate branch of the United States Government and is free to pass non-binding resolutions as it wishes. We also have free press and media that the United States government does not control. Moreover, the United States public demands action to alleviate the suffering in Darfur. We hope that China will continue to work with us, including in the United Nations Security Council, to bring an end to this humanitarian crisis and hope that Special Representative Liu and Special Envoy Natsios will have the opportunity to meet in the near future. PICCUTA