BEIJING WILL DECIDE POSITION ON MINUSTAH MANDATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 000938 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/17 TAGS: PREL UNSC KPKO HA CH TW SUBJECT: BEIJING WILL DECIDE POSITION ON MINUSTAH MANDATE AFTER PRESIDENT HU RETURNS FROM AFRICA REF: STATE 15835 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Daniel Shields. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Beijing will decide its position on the length of mandate extension for the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) after President Hu returns from Africa on February 12, MFA International Organizations Deputy Director General Chen Xu said. Chen was responding to a demarche by Polmincouns urging that China support a one-year, rather than just a six-month, MINUSTAH mandate renewal. Chen said U.S. points about broad regional and international support for one-year renewal are "well taken." End Summary. ¶2. (C) With MFA International Organizations Director General Wu Hailong unavailable because of travel outside Beijing, Polmincouns delivered to DDG Chen Xu on February 8 reftel demarche urging that China support a one-year, rather than just a six-month, MINUSTAH mandate renewal. Chen thanked us for the information in the demarche regarding the February 1 Haiti Contact Group meeting and said that U.S. points about broad regional and international support for one-year renewal are "well taken." China has expressed a preference for a six-month extension because Beijing believes elections mean the situation on the ground in Haiti is improving. Chen also noted that China received an "unpleasant surprise" from Haiti last September (when Haiti spoke in favor of Taiwan's UN membership at UNGA.) But Chen emphasized that diplomatic relations are not a prerequisite for Chinese support, noting that MINUSTAH was first approved under China's presidency of the UNSC. Six Months Easy but One Year Needs Top-level Approval -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) Chen said MFA can easily agree to a six-month extension of the mandate now, with the possibility of further extensions later based on recommendations by the UNSYG, the Haiti Contact Group or expert reports. But in light of the apparent regional consensus on the need for a one-year extension, MFA plans to seek further guidance from "the highest levels" after President Hu returns from Africa on February 12. In addition to the United States, Brazil, Peru, Canada and others in the region have recently urged China to agree to a one-year extension. Chen cautioned, however, that the MFA does not know what the response from the highest levels in Beijing will be. ¶4. (C) Polmincouns emphasized that the security situation in Haiti, the needs of the peacekeeping force and efficiency for the UN all favor a one-year renewal. He urged China to support the regional consensus and a one-year mandate for MINUSTAH. RANDT