MFA: CHINESE ENGINEERS DELAYED BY LOGISTICS, UN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 007175 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO A/S KRISTEN SILVERBERG AND AF/SPG KEMI YAI E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/20/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC KPKO SU CH SUBJECT: MFA: CHINESE ENGINEERS DELAYED BY LOGISTICS, UN REF: A. SECSTATE 158098 ¶B. KHARTOUM 1804 Classified By: Deputy Political Section Chief Ben Moeling. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) Poloff on November 20 urged the MFA to speed deployment of the Chinese engineering force to Sudan and inquired about the reasons for the delay. Poloff noted that the delay in deploying the Chinese engineers is affecting follow-on deployments. MFA International Organizations and Conferences Department UN Division Deputy Director Sun Xiaobo said that China will move "as quickly as possible" to deploy the engineers and the United States should "rest assured" that China remains committed to contributing vigorously to peacekeeping efforts in Sudan. ¶2. (C) Sun noted that a small preliminary advance team has been in Sudan since October and that an "advance contingent" of roughly 135 personnel will be deployed within two days. Unfortunately, Sun said, delays in the UN's acquisition and preparation of supplies and facilities for the main force of the engineering contingent have delayed its deployment. A lack of sufficient aircraft and other transport assets has also contributed to the delay. Sun said that the current advance team of approximately 135 troops is "building a good basis" for the later deployment of the main force. He said the main force will deploy in "early December," but provided no exact date. Regarding the previously requested Heavy Transportation Package, Sun said that China's current priority is the deployment of engineers and, thus, China "lacks the capability" to provide helicopters or other heavy transport support. ¶3. (U) PolOff also delivered the letter on Sudan from Deputy Secretary of State Negroponte to Executive Vice Foreign SIPDIS Minister Dai Bingguo (ref A). Sun said that he would deliver the letter to Dai immediately and later convey any response. RANDT