Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KHARTOUM171
2007-02-05 15:26:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Khartoum
Cable title:
CHINA: LITTLE REVEALED ON DARFUR DISCUSSIONS
VZCZCXRO8148 PP RUEHROV DE RUEHKH #0171 0361526 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 051526Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6009 INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0055 RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 0004 RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI 0009 RHMFISS/CJTF HOA
C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 000171
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/04/2017
TAGS: PREL KPKO PGOV UN CH SU
SUBJECT: CHINA: LITTLE REVEALED ON DARFUR DISCUSSIONS
DURING PRES. HU VISIT
Classified By: Classified by: P/E Chief E. Whitaker, Reason: Section
1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 000171
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/04/2017
TAGS: PREL KPKO PGOV UN CH SU
SUBJECT: CHINA: LITTLE REVEALED ON DARFUR DISCUSSIONS
DURING PRES. HU VISIT
Classified By: Classified by: P/E Chief E. Whitaker, Reason: Section
1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (U) The February 2-3 visit to Khartoum of Chinese
president Hu Jintao involved substantial pageantry, a variety
of aid and trade agreements (septel),and a series of
high-level meetings, but little new information on efforts to
address a transition to UN peacekeeping in Darfur. The
visit, the first of a Chinese president to Sudan, which
recognized China 48 years ago, also included a visit to an
oil refinery.
-------------- ---
Pro-Gov't Daily Claims Pres. Hu Addressed Darfur
-------------- ---
2. (U) The Sudan Vision, a government-affiliated daily
newspaper, stated that President Hu underlined four
principles for resolving the Darfur conflict: respect for
Sudanese sovereignty and territorial integrity, seeking
diplomatic venues for resolving the issue, constructive roles
for the African Union and the UN in peacekeeping, and the
necessity of improving the humanitarian situation. The
February 4 account also stated that the Chinese president
urged reaching a ceasefire in Darfur and bringing on board
those who did not sign the Darfur Peace Agreement, as well as
guaranteeing the delivery of humanitarian relief. (Note: no
other news accounts revealed details on discussions between
Presidents Hu and Bashir on the Darfur conflict. End note.)
--------------
NRF Criticizes Chinese Stance on Darfur
--------------
3. (U) Little news appeared regarding China and support for a
transition to a UN peacekeeping operation in Darfur. The
National Redemption Front (NRF) described China's position on
Darfur as "disgraceful or at best disappointing" in an
account carried by Al-Khalij of Sharjah, reflecting an NRF
statement issued from its Asmara headquarters. The account,
which reflects a statement by the NRF from its headquarters
in Asmara, accused the Chinese of "total bias on Khartoum's
side, without paying attention to the massacres, war crimes,
and blatant violations of human rights committed in Darfur by
the regime." It added that China supported the president of
Sudan without any qualms, and viciously defended the regime
at the UN Security Council.
--------------
Comment
--------------
4. (C) In a February 4 meeting with Sr. Assistant to the
President and Sudanese Liberation Movement (SLM) leader Minni
Minawi, PolOff learned that the Chinese delegation had not
known that the Government of National Unity included a
Darfurian member. Minni said that a Chinese Ministry of
Foreign Affairs official had apologized to him for not
arranging a meeting with President Hu during his visit to
discuss Darfur. The official also advised Minni that the
Chinese government would provide USD 5 million for Darfur,
with no details offered.
POWERS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/04/2017
TAGS: PREL KPKO PGOV UN CH SU
SUBJECT: CHINA: LITTLE REVEALED ON DARFUR DISCUSSIONS
DURING PRES. HU VISIT
Classified By: Classified by: P/E Chief E. Whitaker, Reason: Section
1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (U) The February 2-3 visit to Khartoum of Chinese
president Hu Jintao involved substantial pageantry, a variety
of aid and trade agreements (septel),and a series of
high-level meetings, but little new information on efforts to
address a transition to UN peacekeeping in Darfur. The
visit, the first of a Chinese president to Sudan, which
recognized China 48 years ago, also included a visit to an
oil refinery.
-------------- ---
Pro-Gov't Daily Claims Pres. Hu Addressed Darfur
-------------- ---
2. (U) The Sudan Vision, a government-affiliated daily
newspaper, stated that President Hu underlined four
principles for resolving the Darfur conflict: respect for
Sudanese sovereignty and territorial integrity, seeking
diplomatic venues for resolving the issue, constructive roles
for the African Union and the UN in peacekeeping, and the
necessity of improving the humanitarian situation. The
February 4 account also stated that the Chinese president
urged reaching a ceasefire in Darfur and bringing on board
those who did not sign the Darfur Peace Agreement, as well as
guaranteeing the delivery of humanitarian relief. (Note: no
other news accounts revealed details on discussions between
Presidents Hu and Bashir on the Darfur conflict. End note.)
--------------
NRF Criticizes Chinese Stance on Darfur
--------------
3. (U) Little news appeared regarding China and support for a
transition to a UN peacekeeping operation in Darfur. The
National Redemption Front (NRF) described China's position on
Darfur as "disgraceful or at best disappointing" in an
account carried by Al-Khalij of Sharjah, reflecting an NRF
statement issued from its Asmara headquarters. The account,
which reflects a statement by the NRF from its headquarters
in Asmara, accused the Chinese of "total bias on Khartoum's
side, without paying attention to the massacres, war crimes,
and blatant violations of human rights committed in Darfur by
the regime." It added that China supported the president of
Sudan without any qualms, and viciously defended the regime
at the UN Security Council.
--------------
Comment
--------------
4. (C) In a February 4 meeting with Sr. Assistant to the
President and Sudanese Liberation Movement (SLM) leader Minni
Minawi, PolOff learned that the Chinese delegation had not
known that the Government of National Unity included a
Darfurian member. Minni said that a Chinese Ministry of
Foreign Affairs official had apologized to him for not
arranging a meeting with President Hu during his visit to
discuss Darfur. The official also advised Minni that the
Chinese government would provide USD 5 million for Darfur,
with no details offered.
POWERS