MFA: ARMS TO ZIMBABWE PART OF "NORMAL TRADE"

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 001568

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/23/2028
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR CH ZI SADC
SUBJECT: MFA: ARMS TO ZIMBABWE PART OF "NORMAL TRADE"

REF: STATE 42016

Classified By: Deputy Political Section Chief Ben Moeling. Reasons 1.4
(B/D).


1. (C) Summary: China's recent shipment of arms to Zimbabwe
is part of the normal trade in arms between two sovereign
nations and is not connected to the current political
situation, MFA Arms Control and Disarmament Department
Missiles and Conventional Weapons Division Director Zhang
Jun'an told PolOff April 22. Zimbabwe, like all sovereign
nations, has a right to national defense, including the
purchase of arms. However, because delivery of the arms has
been blocked "for various reasons," the Chinese shipping
company is considering having the ship return to China.
PolOff stressed that under the current extraordinary
circumstances in Zimbabwe, arms sales would be ill-advised
and could lead to regional destabilization. End Summary.


2. (C) In urgent evening meeting, PolOff and UK First
Secretary Gareth Ward on April 22 jointly delivered to MFA

SIPDIS
Arms Control and Disarmament Department Missiles and
Conventional Weapons Division Director Zhang Jun'an reftel
points on arms sales to Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe: A "Normal Arms Trade"
--------------


3. (C) The recent shipment of arms to Zimbabwe is part of the
normal trade in arms between two sovereign nations, Zhang
told PolOff. The contract for the arms was signed last year
and the delivery is not related to the current situation.
Rumors about the sale, including a story that the deal was
signed just three days before the election, are "vicious
fabrications" not grounded in common sense. PolOff replied
that the current situation in Zimbabwe makes the delivery of
arms more than a mere commercial transaction and noted it
could further destabilize an already unstable nation. Zhang
noted that the delivery could not be offloaded "for various
reasons" and said the shipping company is considering having
the ship return to China. PolOff emphasized that this
decision would be wise.

China on Arms Sales: Reasonable and Cautious
--------------


4. (C) China is "reasonable and cautious" in its arms sales
and adheres to certain principles, including non-interference
in the internal affairs of other countries, when making its
decisions, Zhang said. Thus, China hopes that "other
countries will not politicize the sale of arms to Zimbabwe."
Zimbabwe, like all sovereign nations, has the right to
national defense, and the recent sale falls within that
definition. Zhang said that while China "appreciates" that
the United States and European Union have imposed their own
restrictions on arms sales to Zimbabwe, the UN Security
Council (UNSC) has not approved any sanctions. When PolOff
emphasized the need to sell arms not only within the letter
of the law, but also within the spirit of the law, Zhang said
sharply that China "rejects strongly" the "accusation" that
it does not obey the spirit of the law. PolOff reiterated
that this is a sensitive time for Zimbabwe, and arms sales
could increase the instability in the region.


5. (C) Following the demarche, UK PolOff commented that
things had gone "better than expected," and that despite the
"MFA's standard language," the Chinese Government appears to
agree on the need for stability in Zimbabwe. This demarche
comes in advance of a scheduled April 24 phone call between
British Political Director Mark Lyall Grant and Assistant
Foreign Minister He Yafei, during which Lyall Grant will
raise Zimbabwe. UK PolOff said he anticipates that efforts
at the working level, coupled with continued high level
pressure, may ultimately yield "quiet dividends" on this
issue.
PICCUTA