CHINA HOPES KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 007457 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/12/2027 TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC TW YI CH SUBJECT: CHINA HOPES KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION DELAYED UNTIL AFTER TAIWAN MARCH 2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION REF: A. STATE 164327 ¶B. BEIJING 7210 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Aubrey Carlson. Reasons 1. 4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) PolOff on December 12 queried Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of International Organizations UN Division Deputy Director Yao Shaojun on China's reaction to the Troika's December 10 report on Kosovo. Yao said China appreciates the Troika's efforts to reach a solution acceptable to all parties. China would have preferred a negotiated agreement, but "that did not happen." Saying that he was speaking personally, Yao said the United States and the European Union (EU) are responsible for the failure of the negotiations. By supporting the goal of eventual independence, the United States and EU gave incentives for Kosovo's leaders to be inflexible and thus "predetermined the result" of negotiations. ¶2. (C) Yao, still speaking personally, said the "timing" of a Kosovo declaration of independence is the crucial factor for China. China does not want to see a unilateral declaration of independence ahead of Taiwan's March 2008 presidential elections and referendum on UN membership. Such a move could negatively influence the elections during an extremely sensitive time. Thus, China could never support a unilateral Kosovo declaration of independence within this time frame. Yao said China hopes that the United States and EU will respect China's concerns and use their influence to persuade Kosovo's leaders to delay declaring independence. ¶3. (C) Comment: By "speaking personally," Yao was suggesting that he did not have specific instructions to make the statements he made. Still, we have little doubt that his remarks reflect MFA views on Kosovo independence. RANDT