CHINA "CAUTIOUS" ON FORMAL UNSC MEETING, BELIEVES

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 006458 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR IO/UNP/PAUL WICKBERG, EAP/MLS/AARON COPE, G/KELLEY CURRIE, EAP/CM E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/04/2027 TAGS: PREL PHUM CH BM SUBJECT: CHINA "CAUTIOUS" ON FORMAL UNSC MEETING, BELIEVES UNSC PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT "UNHELPFUL" REF: A. STATE 137644 ¶B. STATE 139713 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson, Reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) Summary: In response to points in reftels, Chinese MFA officials referred to MFA press statements noting China's "positive appraisal" of UN Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari's just completed mission to Burma. MFA officials advised caution on proceeding with a formal meeting of the UNSC on Burma and suggested a UNSC Presidential Statement would undermine Gambari's relationship with Burmese authorities. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Poloff conveyed points contained in reftels October 4 to MFA Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam Division Deputy Director Liang Jianjun and United Nations Affairs Division Deputy Director Yao Shaojun. Deputy Director Liang made no substantive response, except to refer to the October 4 MFA spokesperson statement on Burma (see para 4),expressing China's "positive appraisal of the efforts made by the Myanmar government and Special Envoy Gambari." ¶3. (C) On the UNSC meeting for October 5, Deputy Director Yao stated that the U.S. and China missions at the UN are already in close contact and that the Chinese UN representative has already "expressed his preferences." Yao added that the Chinese believe the UN should be "cautious" about having an open meeting, stating that closed consultations would be preferable. Yao stated he would pass on reftel points for further consultation, but his preliminary response was that a UNSC Presidential Statement would not be helpful to the situation or to the "good offices" of Special Envoy Gambari, explaining that a negative statement would undermine the confidence and good cooperation Gambari has established with Burmese authorities. ¶4. (U) The MFA issued a press statement October 4 (available in Chinese only as of COB October 4) in which China gave a "positive appraisal" of UN Special Envoy Gambari's mission to Burma and noted that the situation in Burma recently has become more peaceful. China hopes positive developments in the situation in Burma will continue. The statement reiterated Chinese calls for all sides in Burma to continue to act with restraint, use peaceful means to restore overall stability as soon as possible, promote national reconciliation, improve people's livelihood, and establish democracy and development. China will continue to play a positive and constructive role within the international community, the statement said. Piccuta