CHINA TELLS BURMA TO RECEIVE GAMBARI QUICKLY,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 006338 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR IO/UNP/PAUL WICKBERG, EAP/MLS/AARON COPE, EAP/CM E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/27/2027 TAGS: PREL PHUM CH BM SUBJECT: CHINA TELLS BURMA TO RECEIVE GAMBARI QUICKLY, SUGGESTS UNITED STATES CONTINUE DIALOGUE WITH BURMA REF: A. EAP-EMBASSY EMAIL (09/26/07) ¶B. USUN NEW YORK 797 ¶C. BEIJING 6075 ¶D. BEIJING 6325 Classified By: Ambassador Clark T. Randt, Reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) Summary: In response to the Ambassador per ref A urging China to press the Burmese regime to exercise restraint, begin an inclusive dialogue on democracy, and accept a visit of UN Special Envoy Gambari immediately, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei stressed in a meeting on September 27 that China has repeatedly communicated its concerns to Burmese authorities over the current situation. China views unrest in Burma as an internal matter and not appropriate for UN Security Council consideration. However, consistent with its support for the UN Secretary-General, China has told Burmese officials that UN Special Envoy Gambari should visit Burma as soon as possible. AFM He complained that international media unfairly assigned China responsibility for resolving the current turmoil in Burma. He suggested the United States continue its recent dialogue with Burma. The Ambassador responded that, as Burma's primary business partner and a neighboring state, China has both influence and responsibility. End Summary. ¶2. (C) In a meeting with Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei on September 27 that also touched on Iran, Taiwan and the Dalai Lama (septels),the Ambassador, conveying points contained in ref A and reflecting September 26 developments in New York (ref B),stressed the need for continuing UN Security Council engagement on Burma. The Ambassador also urged China to press the Burmese regime to exercise restraint and begin a genuine dialogue with democracy leaders and to allow Special Envoy Gambari to visit Burma immediately. China concerned, but still an internal matter -------------- ¶3. (C) In response, AFM He stated that China is concerned about the unstable situation in Burma, particularly because turmoil in neighboring Burma would adversely affect China. China hopes that the Burmese Government can restore stability as soon as possible, and to that end, Chinese officials are working "in our own way" to talk to Burmese officials. AFM He highlighted recent bilateral discussions in both Rangoon and Beijing, including the September 13-14 visit of Burmese FM Nyan Win (ref C). In those discussions, Chinese officials consistently urged Burma to "properly address" the "complicated situation" in Burma and respond to the concerns of the international community. AFM He noted, however, that China is taking a "realistic" approach, because the situation in Burma is an internal matter, "to be decided by the people in Myanmar, just as the future will be shaped by the people in Myanmar." International sanctions unhelpful -------------- ¶4. (C) AFM He stated that the international community and UN Security Council should take into account the need to create an environment where the problems of Burma can be properly resolved. In this context, the intentions of the United States and other countries to tighten sanctions and suggestions for the UN Security Council to initiate sanctions are not helpful. AFM He believes sanctions may provoke the Burmese regime to "adopt a high-handed position" that will lead to even more negative consequences. In addition, as an internal matter, the situation in Burma does not represent a threat to regional peace and security. AFM He said it was in the interest of both China and the United States to promote a peaceful solution of the situation in Burma. The Ambassador responded that, in light of the urgency of the rapidly evolving crisis in Burma, it is essential that the UNSC stay closely involved. Support for Gambari visit -------------- ¶5. (C) China will continue to support the "good offices" of the UN Secretary-General and his Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari. In response to a request by the UN Secretary-General, China has already conveyed to Burmese SIPDIS officials the need for Special Envoy Gambari to visit Burma as soon as possible. BEIJING 00006338 002 OF 002 Chinese and U.S. influence on Burma -------------- ¶6. (C) AFM He called "irresponsible" recent media coverage of the situation in Burma, commenting that Western media has been unjustly assigning responsibility to China to resolve the current crisis. Similarly, while it is certainly acceptable for U.S. officials to discuss China's ability to influence Burma, AFM He cautioned that remarks of some U.S. officials had left misimpressions that China was responsible for the current disorder in Burma. (Note: Similar complaints are noted in the official Communist Party international news publication Global Times - ref D.) ¶7. (C) In response, the Ambassador noted that while China may not be directly responsible for the current actions of the Burmese regime, as a neighboring country and primary business partner, China can exert significant influence on Burma. AFM He replied that the United States should continue the dialogue with Burma initiated in June in Beijing as a means to increase U.S. influence over Burma. Randt