SUBJECT: JULY 12 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 004642 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UNSC KS KN BM NG IS JO EG MK RS TX SU, CH SUBJECT: SUBJECT: JULY 12 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, MISSIONARY EXPULSIONS, U.S.-BURMA MEETING, IMF DIRECTOR SELECTION, KIDNAPPING IN NIGER, VISITS ¶1. Key points at the July 12 MFA Press Conference were: -- The MFA announced the meeting between the Six-Party Heads of Delegation July 18-19 in Beijing. -- The spokesman has noticed reports of a campaign to expel foreign missionaries, consulted relevant departments in China and found that no such activity is underway. -- At the request of the United States and Burma, China helped arrange a meeting in Beijing between representatives of the two countries, dialogue which China believes is constructive and helpful. -- Visits: FM Yang departed for Russia today where he will meet with FM Lavrov and other leaders, Sudan VP Taha will visit China July 17-22, President Berdimuhammedov of Turkmenistan will make a state visit to China July 17-18, Macedonia FM Milososki will visit China July 17-20 and China's Special Envoy to the Middle East Sun Bigan will visit Egypt, Jordan, Palestine and Israel July 17-21. -- The MFA press briefings will go on summer recess beginning next week and will resume on September 4. Six-Party Heads of Delegation Meeting -------------- ¶2. At the July 12 regular MFA press briefing, spokesman Qin Gang announced that there will be a meeting between the Six-Party Heads of Delegation July 18-19 in Beijing. He said that in such a complicated situation, which includes the issue of a long-term peace mechanism for Northeast Asia, all parties must work together through peaceful dialogue on an equal footing and that actions would be based on the principle of action-for-action and commitment-for-commitment, when asked what "the next stage" in the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula might entail. Asked about a possible meeting of the six parties' foreign ministers, Qin replied that various parties have made suggestions and China is open to such suggestions. Qin said he has not heard anything about a meeting between the foreign ministers of the United States, China, the DPRK and the ROK. UN resolutions relating to the DPRK are up to the consensus of the permanent members of the UN Security Council, the spokesman stated in response to a question on the lifting of sanctions on the DPRK. MFA Denies Orchestrated Missionary Expulsions -------------- - ¶3. Asked about reports of a campaign to expel foreign missionaries in the lead up to the 2008 Olympics, the spokesman stated he had noticed the reports, consulted relevant departments in China and found that no such activity was underway. United States-Burma Meeting Constructive -------------- ¶4. At the request of the United States and Burma, China helped arrange a meeting in Beijing between representatives of the two countries, said Qin when asked for confirmation by a reporter. China believes direct dialogue and exchange of views is constructive and helpful. IMF Head Should Consider Developing Nations -------------- ¶5. China is studying the EU's support of Strauss-Kahn to become the new IMF director, said Qin replying to media suggestion that the incoming director should hail from Asia. China believes the interests of developing countries' economic and financial issues should be considered when selecting a new director, Qin added. Kidnapping in Niger, Internet Censorship? -------------- BEIJING 00004642 002 OF 002 ¶6. The Governments of China and Niger are actively working to ensure the safe and early release of hostages, Qin said commenting on the kidnapping of an executive from a Chinese uranium mining company and the company's subsequent pullout from Niger. Bilateral economic and trade cooperation are based on a policy of equality and mutual benefit, and support Niger's development, Qin stated. He added that the Chinese Government supports Chinese enterprises in Africa. The spokesman was not aware of the Israeli-run website www.ch.shvoong.com when asked about rumors thatthe site had been blocked in China. Visits FM Yang to Russia, Sudan VP to China, More -------------- -------------- ¶7. FM Yang departed for Russia today where he will meet with FM Lavrov and other leaders and will visit Moscow and St. Petersburg, said Qin. The spokesman announced that Sudan VP Taha will visit July 17-22 and will meet with VP Zeng and other leaders to discuss issues of common interest and Darfur. ¶8. President Berdimuhammedov of Turkmenistan will make a state visit to China July 17-18 at the invitation of President Hu, and Macedonia FM Milososki will visit China July 17-20. China's Special Envoy to the Middle East Sun Bigan will visit Egypt, Jordan, Palestine and Israel July 17-21 to discuss regional issues, particularly the Israel-Palestine issue. RANDT