CHINA "STRONGLY DISSATISFIED" WITH LATEST UNSC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 006581 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR IO/UNP/PAUL WICKBERG, EAP/MLS/AARON COPE, EAP/CM E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2027 TAGS: PREL PHUM CH BM SUBJECT: CHINA "STRONGLY DISSATISFIED" WITH LATEST UNSC PRESIDENTIAL DRAFT STATEMENT Classified By: Classified by Deputy Political Section Chief Ben Moeling , Reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Chinese AFM He Yafei called in the Charge on October 10 to deliver a message describing China's efforts to improve the situation in Burma and to express the Chinese government's "disappointment and dissatisfaction" that the latest U.S.-circulated UNSC Presidential draft statement does not incorporate changes offered by the Chinese. Charge responded that China and the United States must cooperate to ensure stability, democracy and development in Burma and should continue to seek common ground on the contents of a UN Security Council Presidential Statement. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Chinese AFM He Yafei called in the Charge on October 10 to express China's concern regarding ongoing negotiations over the proposed UN Security Council draft Presidential Statement on Burma. AFM He reiterated Chinese concerns about the situation in Burma and recounted China's "unremitting and tremendous" efforts to ameliorate the situation in Burma, including high-level meetings with Burmese officials both in China and Burma and discussions with the international community. Gambari visit -------------- ¶3. (C) AFM He recounted China's efforts to facilitate Special Envoy Gambari's visit to Burma and the extra measures China took to ensure the success of his visit. Thanks to China's intervention, Gambari was able to extend his visit and "meet with people from all walks of life." AFM He stated that getting results from Gambari's efforts will be a long term process. "We should not expect one visit to change the situation. One must eat one mouthful by one mouthful." ¶4. (C) In recent days, AFM He stated, the situation has improved, and the Burmese government has released "many" detainees who had attended protest rallies. The Burmese government has also indicated a willingness to enter into a dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi, he said. China believes these results demonstrate the effectiveness of Gambari's mission. Role of International Community and UNSC -------------- ¶5. (C) AFM He repeated the Chinese position that the international community should offer constructive assisance to Burma in order to help Burma achieve political reconciliation, and should assist all parties in entering into a dialogue. AFM He reiterated the Chinese position that sanctions and pressure can lead to hostility and confrontation. If the situation returns to turmoil because of "outside interference," both the people of Burma and Burma's neighbors, including China, will be harmed. AFM He also reiterated that the situation in Burma fundamentally does not pose a threat to regional peace and stability. ¶6. (C) Though China still disapproves of the UNSC addressing the Burma problem, in consideration of U.S. and other countries' interests, China agreed to the September 27th UNSC statement and the October 5 open meeting on Burma. AFM He stated that any future statement from the Security Council should support the work of the UN Secretary-General and UN Special Envoy Gambari rather than replace or disrupt their efforts. "China is prepared to continue constructive consultations with the United States on this matter, but our prerequisite is that we respect each other's concerns," he said. UN Security Council Presidential Statement -------------- ¶7. (C) Turning to the latest draft text of the UNSC Presidential Statement, AFM He said China has "insurmountable difficulties" with the proposed text. Under the current circumstances in Burma, China does not disagree with releasing a "balanced and proper" Presidential Statement, AFM He said, but such a statement should be constructive. AFM He said that a Presidential Statement should help all parties concerned and help Burma move towards democracy and development. ¶8. (C) AFM He said that the text proposed by the United States included statements that condemn the Burmese government; set specific demands and criteria; establish BEIJING 00006581 002 OF 002 conditions and timelines; and imply that the Security Council would take further and substantive action in the future if the conditions and timelines are not met. "We cannot and will not agree to these impossible conditions," AFM He stated. ¶9. (C) He added that the Chinese UN Permanent Mission had provided a revision of the initial proposed text on October ¶8. AFM He stated that the Chinese version accommodates both sides, and was intended to boost support for Special Envoy Gambari's future visit to Burma. AFM He informed Charge that the revisions, in fact, were offered after very careful consideration. "This is not a negotiation. This reflects the bottom line acceptable to China," he flatly declared. ¶10. (C) AFM noted that a review of the most recent draft text circulated by the United States on October 9 "disregarded our input." The Chinese government is "deeply disappointed" and "strongly dissatisfied." If the content of the draft text remains as is, China will not be able to accept the adoption of a Presidential Statement, he said. ¶11. (C) AFM He stated that if the goals of the United States and China are similar for Burma, that is, to ease the difficulties in Burma "rather than aiming at regime change," then it would be "only logical" for the United States to accept the Chinese version of the draft Presidential Statement. ¶12. (C) Charge pushed back forcefully, emphasizing that China and the United States must cooperate to ensure stability, democracy and development in Burma. Sanctions are an important tactic at this point, and even ASEAN has come forward with a robust statement. Large countries such as China and the United States have an obligation and a responsibility in cases like this, he said, and he hopes China and the United States will be able to find common ground on a statement and a way forward. Piccuta