CHINA MFA SIGNALS POSSIBLE WILLINGNESS TO APPROACH

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 006596 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/RSP/SHEIVES, ISA/RA/MAHAFFEY E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/11/2027 TAGS: PREL PARM ARF CH SUBJECT: CHINA MFA SIGNALS POSSIBLE WILLINGNESS TO APPROACH INDONESIA ON ARF WMD INTER-SESSIONAL MEETING REF: A. STATE 147577 ¶B. BEIJING 4875 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson, Reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) Poloff delivered Ref A points and concept paper on the "Inter-Sessional Meeting (ISM) on the Spread of WMD in the ASEAN Regional Forum" in separate meetings with MFA Asian Affairs Department Regional Security Division Director Ma Jia and Arms Control and Disarmament Department Conventional Weapons Division Deputy Director Wang Daxue on October 10. Ma said her office did not object to the text contained in the paper, but would seek technical advice from the Department of Arms Control and Disarmament. She recalled that during the August ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial meeting the Chinese delegation tried to convince the Indonesian delegation to accept the original "nonproliferation" title for the ISM. She said that working-level officials accepted the wording but the Indonesian Foreign Minister adamantly refused to change his position. Pending the confirmation of no objection from the Arms Control and Disarmament Division, Director Ma said that she would approach the Indonesians with the new concept paper to see whether they would accept the new wording. ¶2. (C) For his part, Deputy Director Wang recalled the July 25 discussion between MFA Arms Control and Disarmament Department Director General Zhang Yan and the Charge (Ref B), explaining that China supports this U.S. initiative. However, Wang offered no immediate commitment on the draft concept paper. Wang also urged the United States to approach Indonesia directly with the new concept paper. Poloff left reftel points as a nonpaper. Piccuta