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

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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