Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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08BEIJING2436 | 2008-06-20 11:36:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Beijing |
VZCZCXRO4185 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK RUEHTRO DE RUEHBJ #2436/01 1721136 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 201136Z JUN 08 FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8109 INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC |
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BEIJING 002436 |
1. (C) Summary. MFA Arms Control Department DDG Wu Haitao told Acting PolMinCouns that the atmosphere around Javier Solana's June 14 presentation of the P5-plus-1 incentives package to Iran was "active and constructive." Wu argued that the P5-plus-1 preconditions for negotiations could be resolved after talks begin and that the PRC regards the current situation as a hard-won opportunity. He stated the PRC has urged Iran to respond positively to the P5-plus-1 proposal and believes that Iran is willing to start negotiations. Wu said the there are "common points" between the proposals by that P5-plus-1 and the Iranians, and that "excessive" pressure on Iran would be counter-productive. End Summary. 2. (C) Wu Haitao, Deputy Director-General (DDG) of the MFA's Arms Control and Disarmament Department briefed A/PolMinCouns June 20 on China's views of the visit of EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana and Political Directors from China, Russia, Germany, France and the UK to Tehran to present the P5-plus-1 incentive package to Iranian Foreign Minister Mottaki and nuclear negotiator Saaed Jalili. The Chinese delegation was headed by Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi. (Note: According to DDG Wu, AFM He Yafei, the regular PRC Political Director for the Iranian nuclear issue, is occupied with Olympics-related issues through the Games. AFM Liu will be taking over his Iran-related duties "for a few months.") Iran "Willing" to Enter Dialogue -------------------------- 3. (C) Describing the atmosphere as "active and constructive," Wu said that Liu urged the Iranian side to make an "appropriate" assessment of the situation, implement the existing UNSCRs, and show "flexibility" on suspension of uranium enrichment as well as cooperation with the IAEA. Wu said Liu told the Iranians that the P5-plus-1 proposal demonstrates the P5-plus-1's sincerity and willingness to resolve the problem through diplomatic means, and that the P5-plus-1 proposal is "comprehensive and authoritative," having the support of the the Foreign Ministers of all six states. 4. (C) Wu said that Mottaki and Jalili "welcomed" the P5-plus-1 proposal and reported that the Iranians said they would study the package carefully and give a response. He added that Jalili expressed a "willingness" to enter constructive negotiations with the P5-plus-1. The Iranians reiterated, however, that there should be no preconditions to talks. Wu assessed that the Iranians were "quite restrained" on this point. 5. (C) AFM Liu also met with the Iranian Ambassador to Beijing June 19 to urge Iran to carefully consider and provide a "quick and active" response to the P5-plus-1 proposal without waiting for the P5-plus-1 to respond to the May Iranian proposal. Wu said the next step for the P5-plus-1 should be to receive the official Iranian response and study their proposal carefully. Preconditions Would be Up for Discussion in Talks -------------------------- -------------------------- 6. (C) A/PolMinCouns noted that the UNSC required that Iran suspend its uranium enrichment-related and reprocessing activities in order to begin negotiations on the package, a point that seems inconsistent with Iran's demand for no preconditions. DDG Wu responded that Iran has demonstrated its interest in talks, and that the P5-plus-1 should not "prejudge" their intentions. Once the P5-plus-1 and Iran begin negotiations, Wu suggested, the grouping could "find a way forward" on the sensitive issues such as the P5-plus-1 preconditions. "Common Points" -------------------------- 7. (C) When asked about AFM Liu's comments to the press that there are "common points" between the P5-plus-1 and Iranian proposals, DDG Wu noted that Solana had also used the same formulation. He said that the PRC saw overlapping elements in the headings of the areas for cooperation in the two BEIJING 00002436 002 OF 002 proposals, but Wu acknowledged that the details were quite different and that the Iranian proposal required further "clarification." DDG Wu stated that some points laid out in the Iran proposal "have some positive elements," and that the P5-plus-1 should not dismiss the proposal out of hand. China Urges Dialogue, Wants to Avoid "Excessive" Pressure -------------------------- --- 8. (C) DDG Wu noted that neither the United States nor China wants to see new turbulence in the Middle East and framed the present situation as an opportunity for dialogue. He urged the P5-plus-1 to seize this opportunity to break the "present stalemate" and find a solution to the nuclear issue, however difficult it might be to open a dialogue. Wu argued that "excessive" pressure will not solve the issue and would harm the diplomatic efforts of the P5-plus-1. 9. (C) A/PolMinCouns replied that while the United States remains committed to a diplomatic solution, the P5-plus-1 has also committed itself to a dual-track strategy, which includes increasing international pressure on Iran to comply with its obligations. PICCUTA |