Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BEIJING7457
2007-12-12 09:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:  

CHINA HOPES KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION

Tags:  PREL PGOV UNSC TW YI CH 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO9663
OO RUEHAG RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHROV RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #7457 3460930
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 120930Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3971
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 0359
RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PRIORITY 0037
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 8882
RUEHPS/USOFFICE PRISTINA PRIORITY 0013
RUEHVJ/AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO PRIORITY 0013
RUEHSQ/AMEMBASSY SKOPJE PRIORITY 0114
RUEHTI/AMEMBASSY TIRANA PRIORITY 0082
RUEHVB/AMEMBASSY ZAGREB PRIORITY 0086
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1922
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
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