Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BEIJING2675
2008-07-09 08:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:
CHINA WILL NOT SUPPORT UNSC ZIMBABWE RESOLUTION
how-toVZCZCXRO2570 OO RUEHCN RUEHDU RUEHGH RUEHMR RUEHRN RUEHTRO RUEHVC DE RUEHBJ #2675 1910825 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 090825Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8491 INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PRIORITY RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHSB/AMEMBASSY HARARE PRIORITY 0148 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 2031
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 002675
SIPDIS
IO/UNP -- REBECCA GOLDENBERG
USUN FOR JEFFREY DELAURENTIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2018
TAGS: PREL UNSC ZI CH
SUBJECT: CHINA WILL NOT SUPPORT UNSC ZIMBABWE RESOLUTION
REF: STATE 73173
Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Ben Moeling. Reason
s 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 002675
SIPDIS
IO/UNP -- REBECCA GOLDENBERG
USUN FOR JEFFREY DELAURENTIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2018
TAGS: PREL UNSC ZI CH
SUBJECT: CHINA WILL NOT SUPPORT UNSC ZIMBABWE RESOLUTION
REF: STATE 73173
Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Ben Moeling. Reason
s 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) POLOFF on July 9 delivered to MFA reftel points urging
China to support a UNSC resolution on Zimbabwe. MFA
International Organizations and Conferences Department UN
Division Deputy Director Sun Xiaobo said China would have
"major difficulty" supporting a resolution at the current
time. Sun said that China shares the concern of the United
States and other countries about the situation in Zimbabwe,
but has a "policy difference" on the use of sanctions, which
China generally opposes. China believes that international
issues are best solved through dialogue and consultation, not
sanctions.
2. (C) Sun said African countries share China's opposition to
sanctions. The latest African Union statement had called on
the parties to the Zimbabwe dispute to resolve differences
through dialogue and called on other countries to refrain
from actions that might have a negative impact on the climate
for dialogue. South African President Mbeki, who is leading
Southern African Development Community (SADC) efforts to
mediate the Zimbabwe dispute, also opposes sanctions and has
appealed to the international community to give SADC
mediation efforts more time, Sun said. Even the Government
of Botswana, which is cited in the reftel points delivered by
PolOff, has clearly stated its opposition to sanctions, Sun
added. POLOFF responded that President Mugabe's violent
actions demonstrated his disdain for the views of the
international community. While the United States supports
mediation efforts, the prospect of pressure enhances
mediation's prospects of success. Sun reiterated that China
does not regard sanctions as a proper tool for resolving
international disputes.
RANDT
SIPDIS
IO/UNP -- REBECCA GOLDENBERG
USUN FOR JEFFREY DELAURENTIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2018
TAGS: PREL UNSC ZI CH
SUBJECT: CHINA WILL NOT SUPPORT UNSC ZIMBABWE RESOLUTION
REF: STATE 73173
Classified By: Acting Political Minister Counselor Ben Moeling. Reason
s 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) POLOFF on July 9 delivered to MFA reftel points urging
China to support a UNSC resolution on Zimbabwe. MFA
International Organizations and Conferences Department UN
Division Deputy Director Sun Xiaobo said China would have
"major difficulty" supporting a resolution at the current
time. Sun said that China shares the concern of the United
States and other countries about the situation in Zimbabwe,
but has a "policy difference" on the use of sanctions, which
China generally opposes. China believes that international
issues are best solved through dialogue and consultation, not
sanctions.
2. (C) Sun said African countries share China's opposition to
sanctions. The latest African Union statement had called on
the parties to the Zimbabwe dispute to resolve differences
through dialogue and called on other countries to refrain
from actions that might have a negative impact on the climate
for dialogue. South African President Mbeki, who is leading
Southern African Development Community (SADC) efforts to
mediate the Zimbabwe dispute, also opposes sanctions and has
appealed to the international community to give SADC
mediation efforts more time, Sun said. Even the Government
of Botswana, which is cited in the reftel points delivered by
PolOff, has clearly stated its opposition to sanctions, Sun
added. POLOFF responded that President Mugabe's violent
actions demonstrated his disdain for the views of the
international community. While the United States supports
mediation efforts, the prospect of pressure enhances
mediation's prospects of success. Sun reiterated that China
does not regard sanctions as a proper tool for resolving
international disputes.
RANDT