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