AFM HE: PRC STUDYING UNAMID HELICOPTER REQUEST,

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 006850 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2027 TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC KPKO SU CH SUBJECT: AFM HE: PRC STUDYING UNAMID HELICOPTER REQUEST, SEEKS U.S. INFLUENCE TO URGE DIALOGUE REF: A. BEIJING 6822 ¶B. STATE 147667 Classified By: Ambassador Clark T. Randt, Jr., for reasons 1.4 (b, d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Assistant Foreign Minister (AFM) He Yafei told the Ambassador October 25 that the PRC was studying the request for helicopters in support of UNAMID deployment (reftels),but opined that Chinese helicopters "may not be up to the task." He alleged that the United States has influence over some "rebel groups," and he hopes we will use this influence to urge them to negotiate in good faith. He said that 1,000 Chinese oil workers are "stranded" between fighting Northern and Southern troops. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) The Ambassador and Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei met October 25 to discuss a range of topics (reported septels),as well as Darfur, reported here. PRC studying UNAMID helicopter request -------------- ¶3. (C) Drawing upon Ref B talking points, the Ambassador acknowledged China's contribution to the UNAMID mission by providing engineers to the peace-keeping group and solicited China's assistance to provide helicopters in support of UNAMID deployment. ¶4. (C) AFM He replied that he had passed our request (from the previous day -- reftels) to the PLA, which was studying the requirements to determine if China could provide support. He added that his personal opinion was that the quality of Chinese helicopters may not be good enough given the difficult conditions they would face in Sudan. PRC urges U.S. to use "influence" with rebel groups -------------- -------------- ¶5. (C) AFM He said that China needs U.S. help on Sudan as well, in light of the recent breakdown of the Government of Unity between North and South. AFM He said that Southern troops have been attacking the Northern military, and that 1,000 Chinese oil workers are "stranded" in between. He expressed doubt that a peacekeeping force could be deployed quickly in the region. AFM He said that there would be another round of African Union-sponsored peace negotiations and urged the United States to encourage "all rebel groups" to participate. He alleged that the United States has influence over some of these groups, and he hoped we will use this influence to urge them to negotiate in good faith. Randt